My Son Accidentally Ran A Red Traffic Light

[annie49]

My son accidentally ran a red traffic light in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon when the Queens cortege was being bought from Balmoral. He was distracted by police sirens going roundaabout
Anyway he has had a 'Notice of prosecution' and he is wondering if he can appeal this.

[LadyCG]

He CAN appeal - whether that appeal is successful will remain to be seen.

[barry1010]

I don't see that he has grounds to appeal. Admitting to being distracted whilst driving is never a good thing to do

[rockyracoon]

I agree with Barry.

I think your son needs to take in on the chin and learn from the mistake.

We’ve all been distracted at one time or another but as Barry says, it’s not an excuse, just a reason.

I hope it doesn’t impact him too adversely.

[annie49]

thanks folks ---just wondered

[New Judge]

He has nothing to appeal against. This is not a parking ticket. It is an allegation of a criminal offence and an appeal is not available until a conviction has been recorded.

He should ensure he responds to the "request for driver's details" within the 28 days allowed or he will commit a separate, more serious offence which attracts six points. After that, since courses are not offered in Scotland, he will almost certainly be offered a fixed penalty of £100 and three points (provided the "time into red" is not excessive).

If he wants to challenge the charge he must decline (or ignore) the fixed penalty offer and plead not guilty when he is prosecuted in court.

[THECORBYLOON]

"Admitting to being distracted whilst driving is never a good thing to do"

If I hear sirens, I look around to work out where the sound might be coming from in case I can stop or get out the road.

Does that mean I have been distracted?

I was waiting at a red light in a single lane, heard a siren and seen an ambulance coming my way in the rear mirror.

I went slowly through the red light and mounted the pavement to let the ambulance proceed.

I received nothing in connexion with that incident.

[douglas9401]

It's just your Donald. Blue light vehicles don't have any special rights over other road users and it's not always possible to let them through.

They just have to wait if there's no other option, people can't just evaporate.

[New Judge]

//I received nothing in connexion with that incident.//

Well unless either (a) the lights were equipped with a camera and detection device, (b) you were witnessed by a police officer or (c) a public-spirited bystander took a video and submitted to "Operation Snap", you wouldn't have.