Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Turk on 26 September 2011, 23:25:52
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Earlier this afternoon I was approaching an amber light and as I came to a halt I glanced in my mirror and noticed the car behind was continuing towards me with no sign of slowing. I didn't notice what the driver was doing, but rather than risk being hit from behind and probably have the car written off due to cost of repair compared with market value, I floored it and crossed the line as the light turned red. Just as well I did as the car in question then came to a panic stop just where I had been.
I know this set of lights has a static 'Red Light' camera. There was no flash from the camera. Does this mean I may be lucky or can I expect a NIP anyway as no flash is not a guarantee I haven't been caught.
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Earlier this afternoon I was approaching an amber light and as I came to a halt I glanced in my mirror and noticed the car behind was continuing towards me with no sign of slowing. I didn't notice what the driver was doing, but rather than risk being hit from behind and probably have the car written off due to cost of repair compared with market value, I floored it and crossed the line as the light turned red. Just as well I did as the car in question then came to a panic stop just where I had been.
I know this set of lights has a static 'Red Light' camera. There was no flash from the camera. Does this mean I may be lucky or can I expect a NIP anyway as no flash is not a guarantee I haven't been caught.
i have no idea mate but bloody good reactions!!!!
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Well worth keeping an eye on what's happening behind. :y
Another example of how daft the teaching of new drivers these days that they should not work their way down the box whilst slowing. If I hadn't been in the right gear I'd probably have been shunted in the rear.
Obviously if the lights had been on red then it would have been a case of brakes on, sit well back, and wait for the uninvited guest in the back seat.
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iirc you can do it to avoid an accident i think not 100% sure!!!!
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Well worth keeping an eye on what's happening behind. :y
Another example of how daft the teaching of new drivers these days that they should not work their way down the box whilst slowing. If I hadn't been in the right gear I'd probably have been shunted in the rear.Obviously if the lights had been on red then it would have been a case of brakes on, sit well back, and wait for the uninvited guest in the back seat.
thats why you need an auto! ;D
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what lights were you at?
I know the one on Camarthan road is switched on occasionally but flashes so you might be fine
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Would it be worth notifying the police before you get a letter. you have the proof then
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/\ /\ Wot he said. Tell the Police first! :y
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Well worth keeping an eye on what's happening behind. :y
Another example of how daft the teaching of new drivers these days that they should not work their way down the box whilst slowing. If I hadn't been in the right gear I'd probably have been shunted in the rear.Obviously if the lights had been on red then it would have been a case of brakes on, sit well back, and wait for the uninvited guest in the back seat.
thats why you need an auto! ;D
Yep. Then you're never in the right gear. ;)
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Well worth keeping an eye on what's happening behind. :y
Another example of how daft the teaching of new drivers these days that they should not work their way down the box whilst slowing. If I hadn't been in the right gear I'd probably have been shunted in the rear.
Obviously if the lights had been on red then it would have been a case of brakes on, sit well back, and wait for the uninvited guest in the back seat.
Agree, I discovered this when I took a council mini bus test (already fully qualified to hold it bit as it was for a school) drove around as you do then when we stopped the examiner said " can tell you are from the old school of driving, you do not change down on approaching obstacles, stay in the highest gear, then if you have to stop and set off again", what nonsense.
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I got caught last year by one of those new fangled 'speed on green' traffic light cameras, not realising it was a speed camera and didn't recall a flash..... The first I knew was when the letter came through the door :'(
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As advised, a quick chat with the local constabulary may help your case if you've been caught... It's worth a chat ;)
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The camera may or may not be working, or it may be one of those new fangled things that doesn't flash all the time, doesn't use film & downloads the results straight away to the CTO (as Tigger pointed out). Only thing you can do is stick it out for the 14 days to see if you get a NIP through the post. To be honest speaking to the police about it won't change matters. Its unfortunate but if its got you, its got you. Most forces now though offer you an option to do an awareness course & should you be unlucky enough to get a NIP there's usually information on the 'Red light awareness course and an option to take it. It will probably cost more than the ticket (about £80ish) but you don't get the points (may be worth it if you drive for a living & need to keep em down). The course is only open to you if you've not been done before in the past 3 years for the same offence.
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what lights were you at?
I know the one on Camarthan road is switched on occasionally but flashes so you might be fine
No, I was on the 'better' side of the Loughor Bridge. ;D ;)
The crossroads at 'Halfway', Llanelli (by Morrisons).
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first time it was winter.. I was in your position and get caught .. :(
second time again winter , surface full snow (started unexpectedly and I was rushing to hospital bringing a friend) no snow tires I skated nearly 40 meters desperately and the driver moved as he understood I choose him as the victim ;D
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You did what anyone with any common sense would have done but like it or not you will probably have to pay the penalty because it is the money that the authority gains from the penalty that governs whetherv you get one. Money rules so be ready for the dreaded letter.....
You can try to explain to the police but in my area it is the Road Safety team that govern the cameras and they will not listen to any excuse at all, whatever it was or justifiable..... :'(
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The camera may or may not be working, or it may be one of those new fangled things that doesn't flash all the time, doesn't use film & downloads the results straight away to the CTO (as Tigger pointed out). Only thing you can do is stick it out for the 14 days to see if you get a NIP through the post. To be honest speaking to the police about it won't change matters. Its unfortunate but if its got you, its got you. Most forces now though offer you an option to do an awareness course & should you be unlucky enough to get a NIP there's usually information on the 'Red light awareness course and an option to take it. It will probably cost more than the ticket (about £80ish) but you don't get the points (may be worth it if you drive for a living & need to keep em down). The course is only open to you if you've not been done before in the past 3 years for the same offence.
Jason's reply is spot on. The police do not administer these cameras and in all honesty I don't think your explanation would make any difference. Chance is there will not be a digital camera unit in the housing (there are many more housings than cameras due to the cost of the units) - they are rotated around different sites and recently funding has been a challenge for Road Safety Partnerships.
If there was a camera in the unit and it caught you, you will receive a conditional offer of fixed penalty and a Notice of Intended Prosecution within 14 days. In some areas you will be offered the alternative of a driver improvement scheme. Of course you can also decline these and elect to be dealt with by the court. Personally I'd advise against this - I understand that you made a decision to 'floor it' through a red light to avoid possibly being hit by the car behind, but in doing so you put yourself and other motorists at just as much risk, if not more. Keep you fingers crossed and hope that nothing lands on the doormat. Sorry. :(
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Thanks for the input folks. :y
Just to clarify, regarding 'flooring it' through the red light, Clouseau is quite right that jumping a red light could have potentially caused a far more serious incedent than a rear end shunt, but in this particular instance I crossed the line as it turned red, so we're talking of a split second difference between 'jumping the red' and having been an 'amber gambler' (neither being best practice). Also, this particular crossroads has quite a steep approach from the left, so not even a champion drag racer with launch control would have crossed my lane from that direction, even if there was no 'safety delay' between the other lights changing. For vehicles approaching from the right there are four lanes to cross before entering my lane. One lane to my right going in my same direction, one to turn right, and the two lanes of on coming traffic. By the time the other light changed to green I would have been through the crossroads and at least 50yds down the road.
Having said that, thank you for the sound advice and input Clouseau. Much appreciated. :y