Hypothetical Scenario

[Bazile]

You are stationary at a traffic light , which is on red - there is also a traffic light camera .

An emmergency vehicle comes up behind sirens and lights on - due to the proximity of other vehicles , your'e forced to cross the line while the traffic light is still on red . You are flashed by the traffic light camera .

Would the authorities enforce a penalty , even if you pleaded mitigating circumstances ?

[Sycamore3House]

I saw a story like this in the paper sometime ago. The driver at the front of the queue crossed the line & was caught on the camera. I think he paid the fine to stop the fine escalating & then appealed which ruled in his favour and received his money back.

[Nibble]

I did this in Trafalgar Square on Saturday morning @ 0600, as you described with a few cars on the 3 lanes next to my truck, hence to ensure that there was no hold-up to the emergency service vehicle, I check that (a) There was no crossing traffic entering my intended route, and (b) there was a "safe" area of road to move my vehicle into, which i did - with no comeback from any authority. It's really about being sensible in allowing a safe outcome for all concerned.

[Bazile]

Nibble

//..I did this in Trafalgar Square on Saturday morning @ 0600,//

//..with no comeback from any authority//

How do you know that a ticket will not arrive through the post in due course ?

[Old_Geezer]

Don't forget to claim the interest while they hold your money. 6000% APR I believe the pay day loan folk tell me is reasonable.

[Mamyalynne]

This situation illustrates the need for more cars to have cameras fitted, both front and rear - would make an appeal much smoother.

In the hypothetical case you outline, I would take as many details as I could from the incident and appeal the ticket.

[factor-fiction]

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q699.htm

[Bazile]

Speaking of traffic light cameras - most people are aware of speed cameras - however ,how many people i wonder are aware of when there is a traffic light camera at a junction

[SirOracle]

I would imagine that almost 100% of people are aware of these.

[Bazile]

factor-fiction

//It is important to remember that in committing the offence (crossing the stop line) the onus will be on you to provide evidence that you did so to allow an emergency vehicle through, and this may be considered as mitigation.//

That is the telling paragraph - the onus is on you to provide evidence - how are you going to get evidence unless you have a camera in your car ?

[Bazile]

sirOracle

//I would imagine that almost 100% of people are aware of these. //

Not from what i have witnessed - i can only assume that some people are not aware or they dont care

[Mamyalynne]

With no camera obviously easier if you have a passenger - write down Reg of Ambulance,exact time and location etc. Otherwise all you can do is your best to give as much detail as possible.

[New Judge]

This was the very unhypothetical scenario in which Philip Lilley found himself an unwilling participant five years ago:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1204944/Driver-gets-60-fine-moving-yard-red-light-let-police-van-999-pass.html

As far as I know Mr Lilley paid the fixed penalty.

[ToraToraTora]

you may well get away with it but you are at the mercy of some busy body official and the onus is on you to prove mitigation. Personally I would wait until the lights change and they can do what they like.

[stoofur]

When I did my speed awareness course earlier this year (naughty me). The same question was asked. The answer was given that you could be fined for doing this. The instructor said that what you are supposed to do is to leave a space. So that you are around six foot behind the line. Then if the situation occours you have space to move out of the way without crossing the line.

[stoofur]

BTW. It looks like I can't spell occurs.