How to appeal a Contravene Red Light ticket?

Kuhan · 5 Jan 2009 at 16:37

Basically ive been pulled by undercover police officer for supposing going through a red light, when it was amber so Ive written a letter in detail, Ive goggled around and cant seem to find where to make a appeal about the matter, there was only 1 officer in the car and no camera evidence so i think i have a fair chance does anyone know where the site/address i can appeal too is?

Thanks

Kuhan

Meridian · 5 Jan 2009 at 16:44

If any part of your car crosses the white line after the light changes to red then you commit an offence. It is highly likely that he, with his far better view, saw part of your car still crossing the line after you stopped looking at the lights. Feel free to appeal though, but expect to lose.

M

Wossi · 5 Jan 2009 at 16:44

I thought that you were only supposed to drive through lights when they are on green unless stopping would cause an accident.

ShakenNstirred · 5 Jan 2009 at 16:46

did you go though on amber?
you can only go though on amber if you are already on the stop line
if you seen it on amber and tryed to get across the line before it turned red your at fault
http://www.driving-test-success.com/traffic_lights/traffic_lights.html

ineed2upgrade · 5 Jan 2009 at 16:47

I would say you would have to go to court to appeal it.the only 1 officer in the car your word against his won't wash because police officers are classed as professional witnesses so his word will count higher than yours.sorry mate but I think your onto a loser here,if they have offered 3 points and a £60 fine I would take it to avoid a potential 6 points and dangerous driving charge.the officer should have explained how/where to appeal when he issued you with the NIP

Dangerous · 5 Jan 2009 at 17:02

ineed2upgrade said:
I would say you would have to go to court to appeal it.the only 1 officer in the car your word against his won't wash because police officers are classed as professional witnesses so his word will count higher than yours.sorry mate but I think your onto a loser here,if they have offered 3 points and a £60 fine I would take it to avoid a potential 6 points and dangerous driving charge.the officer should have explained how/where to appeal when he issued you with the NIP

This - Its you against him and you will lose in court so you will have to take the 3 points.

Nathan · 5 Jan 2009 at 18:38

A police officer as said is a professional witness. They are expected by magistrates to be professional and truthful. VERY unlikely to win. Take the ticket and be more careful in future

MrMoonX · 5 Jan 2009 at 21:22

just take the ticket and the points, if you go to court you may end up with a bigger fine for being a tool and trying to argue the ticket

Fr0dders · 5 Jan 2009 at 21:34

how you appeal ?

you will get sent a letter offering you 3 points and a £60 fine. You can then accept this and post back your license and your £60.

Or you can not send these back, and instead get a court date through and have to appear in person at the magistrates court. You then make your appeal verbally to the magistrates

dont expect much sympathy from the magistrates arguing with a police officer yourself though. Unless you've got a lawyer who might get you off on a technical hitch, just give up and accept the points, if you go to court it wont be a £60 fine, it will likely be 50 % more + costs.

Nathan · 5 Jan 2009 at 22:09

MrLOL said:
how you appeal ?

you will get sent a letter offering you 3 points and a £60 fine. You can then accept this and post back your license and your £60.

Or you can not send these back, and instead get a court date through and have to appear in person at the magistrates court. You then make your appeal verbally to the magistrates

dont expect much sympathy from the magistrates arguing with a police officer yourself though. Unless you've got a lawyer who might get you off on a technical hitch, just give up and accept the points, if you go to court it wont be a £60 fine, it will likely be 50 % more + costs.

He actually has the tangible ticket so will not get sent a letter. If you want to argue in court (which I advise against) then fill the back of the ticket in indicating you want a hearing and send it off to the address on the ticket. You then recieve a court date through the post. Hope this helps.

(edit: Depending on force, you COULD get a written NIP through the post - which is not needed since he has recieved an EFPN.)

twiggy026 · 27 Jul 2018 at 22:32

Kuhan said:
Basically ive been pulled by undercover police officer for supposing going through a red light, when it was amber so Ive written a letter in detail, Ive goggled around and cant seem to find where to make a appeal about the matter, there was only 1 officer in the car and no camera evidence so i think i have a fair chance does anyone know where the site/address i can appeal too is?

Thanks

Kuhan

Nearly 10 years after this and I’m now back the same boat police transit van which was 6 cars back so couldn’t of had view of the front of the car never mind seeing me try and brake for the lights pulled me over then cautioned me with £100 and 3 points I will appeal it in court as I tried to stop but even after braking I was over line as it turned red and didn’t want the act behind to collide. Wondering how your case was felt did you go ahead and appeal?

Nasher · 27 Jul 2018 at 22:39

Could appeal it and ask for some kind of evidence. If they were that far back I don't see how they had a clear view of it tbh.

Dis86 · 27 Jul 2018 at 22:47

Nasher said:
Could appeal it and ask for some kind of evidence. If they were that far back I don't see how they had a clear view of it tbh.

Average car length is about 4m. 6 x 4 = 24m. If you can't see 24m clearly you have major eye problems.

kindai · 27 Jul 2018 at 22:53

Dis86 said:
Average car length is about 4m. 6 x 4 = 24m. If you can't see 24m clearly you have major eye problems.

Dunno, I have difficulty seeing through six cars myself, hell even 1 is a bit of a struggle, that pesky metal makes it difficult.

Dis86 · 27 Jul 2018 at 22:58

kindai said:
Dunno, I have difficulty seeing through six cars myself, hell even 1 is a bit of a struggle, that pesky metal makes it difficult.

Police van. Elevated position.

mattyg · 27 Jul 2018 at 22:59

kindai said:
Dunno, I have difficulty seeing through six cars myself, hell even 1 is a bit of a struggle, that pesky metal makes it difficult.

Mate you want to try seeing through a 44ton HGV...Near impossible

twiggy026 · 27 Jul 2018 at 23:54

Dis86 said:
Police van. Elevated position.

I have to drive sprinter vans from time to time with my job and it’s even more elevated than the ford vans they drive I’m pretty positive he wouldn’t have seen my attempt at breaking and 100% wouldn’t have seen the position of my front wheels. From his position I understand why he’s pulled me over from his position as from his sight it will look like I’ve gone through on red without attempting to brake, but he hasn’t seen the full picture he’s guessing I’ve not gone over the line and also didn’t see me attempt to brake.

twiggy026 · 27 Jul 2018 at 23:56

Dis86 said:
Average car length is about 4m. 6 x 4 = 24m. If you can't see 24m clearly you have major eye problems.

I understand that but your saying you’d be able to tell 6 cars in a straight road all in line (or there abouts) if the front car has attempted to brake 100% ?

Havana_UK · 28 Jul 2018 at 00:40

It doesn't matter whether you attempted to brake 100%, or 50%, or not at all. You did not receive a penalty notice for trying to brake, but for failing to stop for a red light.

Also, traffic lights don't instantly go from green to red. The amber light will remain lit for a period of time, and almost all traffic lights these days have sensor loops in the ground that detect approaching traffic and the approach speed, and will hold the lights on amber for longer if a vehicle is approaching at a speed that will make it difficult to stop should the lights go red.

Suck it up and pay it, and pay more attention in the future.

twiggy026 · 28 Jul 2018 at 00:52

Havana_UK said:
It doesn't matter whether you attempted to brake 100%, or 50%, or not at all. You did not receive a penalty notice for trying to brake, but for failing to stop for a red light.

Also, traffic lights don't instantly go from green to red. The amber light will remain lit for a period of time, and almost all traffic lights these days have sensor loops in the ground that detect approaching traffic and the approach speed, and will hold the lights on amber for longer if a vehicle is approaching at a speed that will make it difficult to stop should the lights go red.

Suck it up and pay it, and pay more attention in the future.

Yes I know that. I was going below the speed limit and while I came up towards the line say a cars length it’s changed to Amber I’ve then thought to go through as I didn’t think I had enough time to brake, changed my mind attempted to brake (I shouldn’t have) at this point I’m over the line and still going I’ve then decided the best option is to carry on (for my safety and the car behind) as I should have to begin with.

It’s not about not paying attention if anything I was being over cautious trying to stop whereas most people would have just gone through and no I’m not going to suck it up and pay it If I don’t feel as if im in the wrong when the police officer saying I’m in the wrong couldn’t even see the whole thing he even said he didn’t see me attempt to brake. Go figure.

How to appeal a Contravene Red Light ticket?

Sgarrista