Contravence of a Red Light

Ghuraba

Ghuraba

Ghuraba

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Joined
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Location
Leeds
Hi there.

I recieved a letter today informing me I made the above offence. I very slowly crossed a red light, normal route just mis-timed the lights changing. Was not speeding or anything at the same time.

Anyway, this letter is asking me if i was the driver and they want me to return the signed form. I was under the impression that when you speed/shoot red lights you get a letter informing along with a fine and photo at the same time.

What is the normal procedure?

Michael
 
Do you have anything construtive to add or not? It is a simple question. I'm not denying it or looking for a way out of it. Yes, mistimed it. For 7 years I have done the same thing. This time I just mistimed it ;- ) I would normally slowly approach the lights from hundreds of yards away and by the time I cross the line the lights change from red to green. Sure, I was taken a chance but if you seen the road you would know why I do it. I just want to know what the normal procedure is when you have been caught.

But I'm not doing it anymore ;)

Michael
 
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What you have is a Notice of Intended Prosecution, or NIP.

Signing that is an admission of guilt, then you will get another letter offering you a "Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty" the 3 points and £60 fine. You will have the choice of either accepting this offer by sending them payment and your driving licence, or having the case sent to court.

If you take it to court the magistrates have the ability to fine you up to £1000 plus court costs (and the £15 "victims of crime surcharge") and to put up to 6 points on your licence so if you agree that you are guilty of the alleged offence then it's probably best to just accept the offer and pay up.

Where the confusion about the procedure comes in is because some police forces (but apparently not West Yorkshire police, assuming you got this ticket locally) send out a Conditional Offer with the NIP giving you the opportunity to admit the offence and pay the penalty at the same time without further paperwork.

Most forces will not send out photographs. I'm aware of one that puts it on the NIP, others will do one of either
1) Send the photo out upon request
2) Insist that you come into the office to view the photograph (they will usually also explain to you how the camera works and exactly how this set of photographs proves your guilt)
3) Refuse to let you see it unless you are taking the case to court

Predictably, 2+3 are the most common.
 
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Just say you were going so fast that the red light blue-shifted and appeared green to you. That'll get you off the hook.
 
Well, well, well.

I recieved a letter today informing me that due to a clerical error and a wrong offence code they have decided to not pursue the affair. Even though the letter does say I did commit an offence and did go over the line while the light was on red.

Wonder why they dropped it.

Michael
 
Ghuraba said:
Well, well, well.

I recieved a letter today informing me that due to a clerical error and a wrong offence code they have decided to not pursue the affair. Even though the letter does say I did commit an offence and did go over the line while the light was on red.

Wonder why they dropped it.

Michael
Click to expand...

They probably read this thread and thought they would let you off as it was simply a case of bad timing.
 
Probably for the reason stated. The offence code is what determines exactly what you did that was wrong, it's easier to explain on a speeding ticket, there are separate offence codes for, say, "exceeding a 50mph limit" vs "exceeding a temporary roadworks 50mph limit" and they would cause you to get charged under a different point of law.

So if they screwed that up, Nick Freeman or whoever would have you off scot free within about 10 minutes.


My advice. Don't question it, say nothing, consider yourself lucky and be more careful next time.
 
I haven't even returned the original form saying I was the driver at the time. I had 28 days to return the letter and only got the letter last Friday.

I am driving more carefully. Three points might not be much and £60 fine but it was honest, genuine breaking of the law ;)

Michael
 
Ghuraba said:
I haven't even returned the original form saying I was the driver at the time. I had 28 days to return the letter and only got the letter last Friday.
Click to expand...

Keep your new letter very safe for at least the next year.

You'll need it if they **** up and forget to cancel the offence, because if this happens you'll eventually end up in court under S172, failure to furnish details when requested. That letter will be needed to prove that they told you this was no-longer necessary.
 
The offense is valid for 6 months, if you are not prosecuted within that period, the offense 'times out' and you cannot be prosecuted. Keep the letter and the NIP for at least that long tbh.
 
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