Do red light cameras flash?

Minxy · 5 Nov 2015 at 20:25

I've made a slight error this evening and due to the rain and it being dark I rolled over the line at a red light in town until I was about half a cars length over the line. I never saw the camera flash but should I be expecting a letter from the local plod through the post?

I don't make a habit of jumping lights just for the record and genuinely just missed the line due to poor weather conditions. I had no intention of jumping the light.

Thanks

Hyburnate · 5 Nov 2015 at 20:28

Yes, red camera lights usually flash.

Orionaut · 5 Nov 2015 at 20:48

Do they always have film in? (Or are they all electronic these days?) :/

VincentHanna · 5 Nov 2015 at 20:51

Doubt it would trigger half a car length over the white line.

Finglonga · 5 Nov 2015 at 21:19

VincentHanna said:
Doubt it would trigger half a car length over the white line.

Depends where the trigger wire is, some have done before now.

Minxy · 5 Nov 2015 at 21:28

But do they flash if they catch you?

VincentHanna · 5 Nov 2015 at 21:30

Yes, they flash.

Spuddy · 5 Nov 2015 at 21:34

Never even heard of them! :O

insane200 · 5 Nov 2015 at 22:02

How long was it red for ? think there is normally a small delay before going active, they flash just like a Gatso speed camera so you would no if it happened, I was caught once on a set i drive through every day, also told me my speed which was 34mph in a 30.

Minxy · 5 Nov 2015 at 22:10

It was already red when I rolled up to the lights but it's a big junction so two sets of lights and I was looking at the further set. I was just wondering if me rolling over the line would have triggered the camera.

rapid64k · 5 Nov 2015 at 22:23

If you didn't see a flash you should be ok.

insane200 · 5 Nov 2015 at 23:00

Minxy said:
It was already red when I rolled up to the lights but it's a big junction so two sets of lights and I was looking at the further set. I was just wondering if me rolling over the line would have triggered the camera.

Probably not, the light would have flashed if it had triggered, but i would guess the trigger mark is a little way from the line itself.

Raggs · 5 Nov 2015 at 23:03

aye they do flash seen one go off near me a few times when on foot and in the car.

Minxy · 6 Nov 2015 at 06:13

Thanks guys. I'm so cross with myself for this. Would have been gutted to end up with points over it.

PhillyDee · 6 Nov 2015 at 08:15

You can see where the triggers are if you look after the white line, there are usually 2, basically rectabgles cut into the road, induction sensor in the ground and filled with liquid tar. Same for traffic lights etc. Speed cameras are different though.

peterwalkley · 6 Nov 2015 at 09:23

Front or rear facing camera ? Would the camera angle have even been low enough to pick up your numberplate ?

The ones I know of round here are geared towards catching someone blatantly jumping through a red light and would be a rear view image of you in the middle of the junction. Half a car length would never show up. They would be going off all the time whenever cyclists position themselves at the front of the junction.

Nasher · 6 Nov 2015 at 11:03

They use pressure pads I think. If you went over one while it was already red you might have got caught, but if you were already on top of one you should be ok.