Camera flash...

[hovercraft]

Hello all,

 

Thanks for any help.

 

A bit of a weird one, I was up in the Brentwood area on Friday driving along in my 20yr old 2 tonne Land Rover, saw the traffic lights change to amber, so braked as hard and as I could safely, but sadly stopped beyond the white line (front wheels only).

 

And saw the camera behind flash, it was a dual speed/traffic light camera. So I wasn't speeding and I didn't run a red light.

 

Why the flash? I only saw one, though may of been more as I wasn't looking behind me. So I have 14 days of wait now. Can anyone throw any light on this please, we don't have or I haven't seen any of these cameras in the area I live, how do they work?

 

Thanks for any help, great forum.

 

ps. I did a search but couldn't find anything conclusive.

[BankFodder]

I don't know what to advise - but although it is to late now, I think that I might have stepped out and taken a picture

[GrumpyToSayTheLeast]

I believe the sensors on the road will sense that your wheels cleared the white line while the light was red triggering the camera. Not sure whether you will get a ticket though. Lets hope the operator see's sense and write's it off.

[Conniff]

I would say the problem you have is that it is a photo so even though you are stopped, it will show you over the line and for all they know continued on through.

[hovercraft]

Many thanks for the replies;

Yes I could of taken a picture/s but as we all know they can be edited.

I can only hope so.

Agree that's the problem with cameras, hopefully as I was braking my brake lights will show up.

 

Also I can't honestly remember if the light was amber or red when I crossed the line and stopped. We'll see, I'll fight it anyway, if something comes of it.

 

Thanks for all your help, I'll keep you informed.

[JoeyJoeC]

I've been flashed many times on the A12 by the dual cameras there, every time when the light was on amber, nothing came through. There's several new camera on the same stretch which I have seen flash randomly at people even on green. I have a dashcam video of it happening too.

 

Which road / junction were you on? is the camera a new one?

[hovercraft]

Thanks for the reply, maybe it is a new one, couldn't see it on google maps but I think it's the A12 crosses Gubbins Ln/Gooshays Dr.

[MisterBuster]

you should be okay . the reson for the second flash is to confirm that your rear wheels crossed the white line without stopping.

In your case it will show that you had stopped, so I would reckon that you should not hear anything further on the subject.

[hovercraft]

OK thx, I'll have to wait the 14/21 days and see. Will post back any result.

[JoeyJoeC]

I'm pretty sure nothing will come through. The new A12 cameras have been malfunctioning a lot. I've even seen them flash people turning right.

 

Here was my post on one of the cameras, check post #3 for the video. It's a different part of the A12, but seems to be the case for a few of the cameras.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?444282-Flashed-going-though-amber-light.-Have-dashcam-proof.

[hovercraft]

OK thanks, that's strange, you'd of thought someone would keep checking them and fix if necessary.

[Conniff]

OK thanks, that's strange, you'd of thought someone would keep checking them and fix if necessary.

 

Fixing them wouldn't bring in any money. I bet if that set was checked for accidents of vehicles going through a red light over the last ten years, it would be negligible.

[hovercraft]

Agree, it's easy money. Cheers.

[Aretnap]

The offence is committed if any part of your car crosses the line while the light is red - so in theory if the pictures show your front wheels crossed on red you're bang to rights, even if the whole car didn't cross.

 

Whether you'd actually get a ticket in practice for stopping with your front wheels a few inches over the line is another question. I'd hope not, but I'm not the one making the decision.

Edited June 24, 2015 by Aretnap
Oops

[Conniff]

The offence is committed if any part of your car crosses the line while the light is red - so in theory if the pictures show your front wheels crossed on red you're bang to rights, even if

 

Whether you'd actually get a ticket in practice for stopping with your front wheels a few inches over the line is another question. I'd hope not, but I'm not the one making the decision.

 

Even if what ?

[Aretnap]

Oops. Even if the whole car didn't cross the line.

[hovercraft]

Bummer! Many thanks again for all your help.

[BigAllyMac]

Bottom line is that when approaching traffic lights your speed should be such that you are able to stop at a red light if they change to amber as you approach. Simples.

[hovercraft]

Oh agree. That's why I've no points on my licence for many years. But I do believe 3secs from amber to red even travelling well inside the speed limit is not enough to jump onto the brakes of a 2tonne vehicle whilst doing so safely and without causing a brake failure. Which has happen in the past.

 

So I glad we don't or haven't seen these cashcows in the Hampshire I live in.

[hovercraft]

Well post has been, nothing for 15days, no address changes. A few more days to be sure. Thanks again for everyone's help.

[SabreSheep]

Hope it remains that way for you.

 

To avoid repeats as suggested above, when you see lights on the horizon, if it has been green for sometime, recommend you take the foot of the accelerator and anticipate them changing

[hovercraft]

Yes agree. Thx again for everyone's help and advice.