From ‘amber-gamblers’ to drivers thinking red does not mean stop, running a red light can happen to anyone.
For many, it is an accidental lapse in concentration, but the consequences can be deadly with thousands of people each year dying due to accidents on junctions.
Thousands of traffic offence reports are issued by police to people who run red lights – here is what happens if you are caught.
How do I know if I have been caught jumping a red light?
It is difficult to know if you have been caught straight away, especially if you have been spotted by a traffic light camera.
Unless it flashes unmistakably straight away or you are pulled over by the police, the first you will know about being caught will be when you receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution in the post.
What do I need to do after receiving a notice?
The notice you receive will ask you to name the offending driver and fill out the form within a month.
In most cases, the form will include an admission of guilt section and order the payment of a £100 fine instead of a court date.
However, you can appeal the notice if you feel you had mitigating circ*mstances for running a red light.
What are my defences?
Running a red light is a strict liability offence, meaning reducing a fine or being acquitted is almost impossible.
Simply stating you did not intend to run the red light is not acceptable, if evidence proves you did.
However, if you can show you did not run the red light or prove there was a defect with it, you might be in luck.
How much will it cost – and will I get points on my licence?
Most fines are £100 for running a red light, and there is a chance you will also gain three points on your licence.
However, if you fail to respond to a penalty notice or provide the wrong details of the driver, you could face prosecution, six penalty points and a maximum fine of £1,000.
Educational courses, which you will have to pay for, are also offered by some police forces.
