Traffic Lights That Are Stuck On Red

[joko]

just curious here

apparently there are 4 sets of lights near mine that are currently stuck on red, and people are stuck at them beeping like mad - what is the law regarding this - assuming the lights have cameras - could you go through if it was clear? should you?
surely unless the person at the front dares to, everyone is stuck

can it be proved that they are stuck and a ticket cancelled?

thanks

[bert_h]

This has been discussed on the RAC web site, and probably on others. Ludicrously, it seems that for anything but an emergency vehicle to proceed through a red light is absolutely an offence. Either find another route, or hope that the prosecution service will decide not to waste money on the case, or hope that if they do, the court will see things your way instead of theirs.

What I find interesting is the legal position of the chap at the very front who has no urgent business and is patiently waiting for the fault to be fixed. He is preventing the motorists behind him from breaking the law, but so is someone who proceeds at a steady 70 in the fast lane, and such motorists have been convicted in the past of obstructive driving or whatever. Apparently, their submission that they could only have been obstructing lawbreakers cut no ice with the court! So what is the poor guy at the front supposed to do?

[BlueToffee]

//but so is someone who proceeds at a steady 70 in the fast lane//

Thought the second, third and forth lanes of motorway/dual carriageways were 'overtaking' lanes, not 'fast' lanes.

[TWR]

Are the lights fixed or are they temporary? If I was in that situation I would phone the police and explain the problem just to cover myself.

[bundleone]

I had this problem recently on temporary road works lights. I was second in line and after waiting ages the car in front decided to go so I followed, I suppose you just have to take a chance sometimes.

[saxy_jag]

The highway code is the arbiter on this one:

"[Rule]176:
You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely or you are taking up a position to turn right. If the traffic lights are not working, treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 36"

[ianglyn]

if the lights are mobile and only temp,then aslong as you can see through to the other end and as long as there clear you can drivre through them