How many times do traffic light camera's flash?

ChrisD. · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:26

Coming onto the A46/M40 roundabout the light went amber when I was about 15 yards from them, I went through as there was no chance I would have stopped. An Audi TT followed me another 50 yards or so behind me and the camera went off twice. There were no other cars that went through that I could see.

I'd be pretty hacked off if I was done as there was no way of stopping for the line without a reverse thrust jet engine or something.

Gaverick · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:35

You should always be able to stop in time, or get through without being flashed, if you are sticking to the speed limit and driving to the conditions.

therealnerd2 · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:36

So it was red when you went through?

Hen_Dawg · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:36

I'd assume they'd have to calibrate them to allow for situations like yours where stopping would be more dangerous than carrying on

Hawk Tuah · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:38

I always thought they flashed once.

ChrisD. · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:39

Gaverick said:
You should always be able to stop in time, or get through without being flashed, if you are sticking to the speed limit and driving to the conditions.

So you're trying to tell me that, 15 yards in front of the stop line, I'm expected to come to a halt at 30 mph? OK I was going 50 mph but it is a NSL road and no traffic, perfect conditions etc. By the time I noticed it was actually on amber and the reaction times etc I would have been on the line anyway. I always thought that amber means stop only if safe to do so and it clearly wasn't for me hence I carried on, unlike the Muppet behind me.

therealnerd2 said:
So it was red when you went through?

Not as I passed the line, no, it was still on amber.

ALLI · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:40

Yes. You should approach traffic signals with the expectation of stopping.

OllyM · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:42

They flash twice to prove you've actually properly overshot the junction, I believe.

There's a nasty set of traffic lights on the A44 near here with a camera on that have nearly caught me out, they're a 70mph limit and if they happen to change at the wrong time I guess you could quite easily get caught.

ALLI · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:44

So, you have prior knowledge of the road, you know the lights change quickly. Why approach them at 70mph?

ChrisD. · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:45

Oh FGS, why do these threads always turn into "you should have known better" or "you should drive like xxxxxxxx" etc?

If you've nothing constructive to add in order to answer my question then don't post...

OllyM · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:46

Where did I say I steamed through them at 70mph? I always slow down there in anticipation of them changing suddenly.

EDIT: Oh and traffic light cameras do give you a small amount of time (maybe half a second) after the lights have gone red before they'll take photos. I personally think you'll be okay.

ChrisD. · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:47

ALLI said:
Yes. You should approach traffic signals with the expectation of stopping.

OK I'll travel at 2mph every time I approach some light so that if it turns amber 1 yard before I reach them I can stop.

Gaverick · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:48

MilanoChris said:
So you're trying to tell me that, 15 yards in front of the stop line, I'm expected to come to a halt at 30 mph? OK I was going 50 mph but it is a NSL road and no traffic, perfect conditions etc. By the time I noticed it was actually on amber and the reaction times etc I would have been on the line anyway. I always thought that amber means stop only if safe to do so and it clearly wasn't for me hence I carried on, unlike the Muppet behind me.

No if it turned to amber when you are 15ft away doing the speed limit they are timed to allow for that situation and therefore not flash until you are through.

ALLI · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:49

I'm not the one complaining about being caught out by blatantly obvious traffic cameras due to my inept driving.

If you don't want advice, don't post on an open forum. Simply wait for your fixed penalty to arrive and I'll look forward to the "I've got x points and my insurance has gone up" moany threads.

If you cannot follow simple road signs and signals, then I question your ability to drive effectively and safely.

ChrisD. · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:49

Well they aren't going to flash before I go through are they? :S

ALLI · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:50

MilanoChris said:
Oh FGS, why do these threads always turn into "you should have known better" or "you should drive like xxxxxxxx" etc?

If you've nothing constructive to add in order to answer my question then don't post...

If you've got nothing constructive to post...

OllyM · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:50

ALLI said:
I'm not the one complaining about being caught out by blatantly obvious traffic cameras due to my inept driving.

If you don't want advice, don't post on an open forum. Simply wait for your fixed penalty to arrive and I'll look forward to the "I've got x points and my insurance has gone up" moany threads.

If you cannot follow simple road signs and signals, then I question your ability to drive effectively and safely.

And is it really necessary to come into this thread and preach about it?

ChrisD. · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:51

ALLI said:
I'm not the one complaining about being caught out by blatantly obvious traffic cameras due to my inept driving.

If you don't want advice, don't post on an open forum. Simply wait for your fixed penalty to arrive and I'll look forward to the "I've got x points and my insurance has gone up" moany threads.

If you cannot follow simple road signs and signals, then I question your ability to drive effectively and safely.

ALLI · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:51

I'm not preaching. Don't be so defensive. Especially when it's clear you're in the wrong.

OllyM · 14 Jan 2008 at 14:52

Well if only everybody was as perfect as you