Just Been Pulled
23 May 2002, 05:47 PM
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[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
On my way home tonight, I have just been pulled and given a yellow ticket for a £60 fine and 3 points [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
The copper reckons that I ran a red light. Myself and my girlfriend sitting next to me know for a fact that it was still yellow at the time I passed though it.
The policeman was on his own in his car.
Do I have a good chance if I take it to court ?
[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
On my way home tonight, I have just been pulled and given a yellow ticket for a £60 fine and 3 points [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
The copper reckons that I ran a red light. Myself and my girlfriend sitting next to me know for a fact that it was still yellow at the time I passed though it.
The policeman was on his own in his car.
Do I have a good chance if I take it to court ?
[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
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23 May 2002, 05:55 PM
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Stick to your claim that at the time you passed the light it was amber (if that was the case.) If you have been a but naughty then take the punishment. Can't do you for going through an amber light if you didn't have time to stop safely. Contest it.
23 May 2002, 05:57 PM
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Not sure there was a car behind.
It was a 2 lane set of lights, my lane went right only, his left only. He stopped, I kept going. He would have known if there was a car behind me. I'm not so sure.
Having said that, I wouldn't have stopped, just in case there was a car behind. It was safer to proceed, so I did so.
And anyway . . . it was yellow [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
It was a 2 lane set of lights, my lane went right only, his left only. He stopped, I kept going. He would have known if there was a car behind me. I'm not so sure.
Having said that, I wouldn't have stopped, just in case there was a car behind. It was safer to proceed, so I did so.
And anyway . . . it was yellow [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
23 May 2002, 06:05 PM
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I'm going to take it to court.
We both know it was yellow. End of.
Why should they believe him over me anyway ? Simply because he's policeman ? How does that make him any more honorable than myself ?
We both know it was yellow. End of.
Why should they believe him over me anyway ? Simply because he's policeman ? How does that make him any more honorable than myself ?
23 May 2002, 06:16 PM
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Doesn't Amber mean Stop if it's safe to do so ?
I wasn't sure it was safe to stop, but was sure it was safe to proceed. So I proceeded.
I wasn't sure it was safe to stop, but was sure it was safe to proceed. So I proceeded.
23 May 2002, 06:21 PM
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I though amber means prepare to stop or stop now if safe to do so. Assuming it was a normal panda car (say an astra) and you were doing the same speed surely it will be argued in court that if the Police car stopped safely and easily so should you, what with the performance car in all! Good luck!
P.S. Check the date, I got done for running a red light (won't go into the circumstances but it was easily the safest thing to do) and I got off with it cause the officer put the wrong month on the ticket
The offense took place a month in the future 
P.S. Check the date, I got done for running a red light (won't go into the circumstances but it was easily the safest thing to do) and I got off with it cause the officer put the wrong month on the ticket
The offense took place a month in the future
23 May 2002, 06:23 PM
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I would hazard a guess that the court would need SOLID evidence? If you are of good character and can have some character witnesses then I should say FIGHT!!
Pete
Pete
23 May 2002, 06:27 PM
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I have no endorsements whatsoever, never have had. And can provide character witnesses.
Okay, so he was already stopped at the lights, but did not feel it was safe to do so.
Okay, so he was already stopped at the lights, but did not feel it was safe to do so.
23 May 2002, 06:27 PM
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DJ I afraid your're screwed on this. Red, red & amber or amber on it's own all mean stop - according to the Highway Code and that I'm afraid is all that matters. Unless you have other evidence, it is your word against the policeman and as was posted earlier - who will the court believe?
Pain in the ****, but I don't think you'll make it any better and you may end up making it worse.
Chris
[Edited by Chris L - 5/23/2002 6:29:10 PM]
Pain in the ****, but I don't think you'll make it any better and you may end up making it worse.
Chris
[Edited by Chris L - 5/23/2002 6:29:10 PM]
23 May 2002, 06:31 PM
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ChrisL - Even if I have a witness ?
Even if the ticket was for running a "Red" light, not a stop light ?
Even if I felt it was safer to proceed rather then stop ?
How can this be ?
Even if the ticket was for running a "Red" light, not a stop light ?
Even if I felt it was safer to proceed rather then stop ?
How can this be ?
23 May 2002, 06:33 PM
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Same thing happened to me a couple of months ago.....take the fixed penalty/fine mate, a magistrate will always believe the copper. Its just a new tactic being used to get more fines....i know a couple of other people its happened to as well. The code you get is TS10, makes no difference to my insurance.
23 May 2002, 06:34 PM
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Thats all I'm really bothered about, affecting my insurance.
If it makes no odds then I'll pay the damn fine. Is this definately correct ?
This makes me sooooooooo mad [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
If it makes no odds then I'll pay the damn fine. Is this definately correct ?
This makes me sooooooooo mad [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
23 May 2002, 06:37 PM
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Agree with Chris L - red/red+amber/amber all mean stop. If it wasn't safe to stop on amber, you were probably going too fast. If you went through on amber in front of a policeman, you won't paying enough attention. If you didn't know that amber meant stop, you shouldn't have passed your driving test. (This is how a magistrate will see it). Your girlfriend wouldn't make a reliable witness in court - so it's back to you versus the policeman - no contest and you're going get a more punitive sentence. If you go to court, you going to have to get a good solicitor to argue the technicality of the ticket being for running a red light rather than an amber one. Is it worth it for £60 - unless the 3 points puts you up to 12 on totting up, then it might be worth you while.
Sorry, but it's not looking good......
Sorry, but it's not looking good......
23 May 2002, 06:39 PM
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Wait a sec! Your 'buffer' zone will be gone if you accept the fine. Then if you get caught doing 34 in a 30 you'll get a fixed penalty fine giving you 6 points in total which will put your insurance through the roof!!!
23 May 2002, 06:43 PM
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DEFINITIVE ANSWER...and first post!
Well, a similar thing happened to me about a year ago. I too definetly went through on amber but was pulled.
Apparently it all depends upon ONE thing, if you accelerated to get through the lights before they turn red. Although they were still amber they can still charge you.
Its called "Rushing the lights". Creative huh? :P I know how you feel
I maybe wrong but if you did accelerate then that might be why.
Well, a similar thing happened to me about a year ago. I too definetly went through on amber but was pulled.
Apparently it all depends upon ONE thing, if you accelerated to get through the lights before they turn red. Although they were still amber they can still charge you.
Its called "Rushing the lights". Creative huh? :P I know how you feel
I maybe wrong but if you did accelerate then that might be why.
23 May 2002, 06:44 PM
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I would take the fine and forget about it.
You could end up with hefty fine and costs if magistrates side against you. It could be alot worse...I lost my licence for 12 months in a similiarly unjust incident.
Save yourself the aggro and costs.
You could end up with hefty fine and costs if magistrates side against you. It could be alot worse...I lost my licence for 12 months in a similiarly unjust incident.
Save yourself the aggro and costs.
23 May 2002, 06:46 PM
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I got caught years ago alledgedly crossing on a red light. When the copper pulled me over he told me that if I tried to fight it I would lose because it was a known accident black spot and no court would believe me over the cop.
I was only 17 at the time so took the points and fine.
DP.
I was only 17 at the time so took the points and fine.
DP.
23 May 2002, 06:50 PM
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Ar$e. Looks like I better take it then 
Just phoned my Insurance co and its makes no difference now, although may do at renewal
Can't beleive it. Could be worse though I suppose
At least I've still got fabulous discounts on the group buy on Nitosport surrounds to look forward to
Did I mention that ?
Just phoned my Insurance co and its makes no difference now, although may do at renewal
Can't beleive it. Could be worse though I suppose
At least I've still got fabulous discounts on the group buy on Nitosport surrounds to look forward to
Did I mention that ?