Should I Have Done Something

[jennyjoan]

This morning I was in my car and I waited at red light when I noticed that the other 3 road lights and pedestrians had changed about 3 times but my red light never moved.

I realised the light obviously was broken and so I had to drive through them of course when it was very clear.

I am now a bit worried that I may be captured going through the light. Should I have notified a police station - if so - could I do that now. Thanks

[Old_Geezer]

I'd not bother. In the unlikely event you hear something then explain the situation. They must know it's broken.

[douglas9401]

I wouldn't bother myself about it.

[jennyjoan]

thanks Geezer - it has been playing on my mind all day.

[tonyav]

Don't worry about it, jj. I'll bet you weren't the only one that went through them once other motorists realized that they were stuck on Red.

[jennyjoan]

Well Tony - these lights are actually at the bottom of a tiny wee residential street - the other lights are on the main road.

[tonyav]

Yeah but I'll still bet you were not the only one to go through them, jj.

[jennyjoan]

thanks for your reassurance Tony - if the cops nab me - I will direct them to this post. LOL

[tonyav]

They ain't gonna nab ya, jj :-)

[jno]

you could report the malfunctioning light

[jennyjoan]

Jno - shall I report now - peelers are a good drive away

[Hymie]

You could check whether there are traffic cameras at the lights – if so, and the cameras were working, I don’t think some jobsworth will accept any such excuse.

The only time you are permitted to pass a red light, is if directed to do so by a police officer.

Plenty of drivers have been prosecuted for passing a red light in order to make way for an emergency vehicle – such an excuse cuts no ice with the jobsworths of this world.

Something similar happened to me very early one morning many years ago – I was waiting at a junction for a right turn light to change. After a few minutes, I had a queue of cars behind me waiting to turn right. After a few more minutes, the driver behind me got out of his car and advised me to move forward slightly, such that the only working induction loop in the lane would detect my car. Sure enough, soon after I pulled forward to the white line, the light changed.

[jennyjoan]

Oh Gawd - I was thinking of that Hymie - they are just out to get money.

[jennyjoan]

Well have drove to said lights - they changed after waiting for 2 "goes".

Met a girl and a fella - the shop owner of a little corner shop who said they have gone through the lights because of this - and both did say there are no cameras. So hopefully I will be ok.

[Peter Pedant]

no you shouldnt ( do anything)
this isnt the assheton rd - stansfield rd lights ?
they are playing up too - and we went thro them

it used to be strict law that going thro malfunctioning lights was still an offence but that may have changed

so just suck your belly button in and wait and see

[Peter Pedant]

report to whom ?

lights used to be a police matter and could only be touched by a pleesman - but they became a council matter - ( any jobsworth could fiddle with them) and that changed the law.....
( going against a council jobsworth may not necessarily be an offence)
and I cant remember where we are up to
( coz I am old - and cant cope with change of any kind)

[Hymie]

NJ will no doubt be able to quote chapter and verse, the excuses he will accept as a defence for passing a traffic signal at red.