Red light camera - NIP received

lookitsjonno · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:52

At a busy junction, due to confusion between lights, I broke late and went over the white line activating a red light camera. I have received a NIP in the post today. I have a collegue who was in another car who witnessed the event.

I have submitted a photo request but what are my chances if I choose to contest and take it to court?

Greebo · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:54

Housey · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:54

They might decided to do you for driving without due care and attention instead. We all **** up, my advice is take it on the chin and move on. Most people won't overshoot the lights so you were either going to quickly to stop or not paying enough attention as most of the rest of world who uses that road didn't get flashed......said the judge.

Oggie · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:55

On what basis would you contest it? That you were confused!?

lookitsjonno · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:56

Oggie said:
On what basis would you contest it? That you were confused!?

On the basis that I didn't breach the junction on a red light?

Housey · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:58

lookitsjonno said:
On the basis that I didn't breach the junction on a red light?

So why did the camera go off then?

i5aces · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:59

If the junction is defined as the white line then by your own admission you did.

lookitsjonno · 26 Mar 2012 at 14:01

I was under the understanding that the white line activated a camera which took 2 photos to determine if you actually continued through the junction?

And what part of your car constitutes "over the white line"? Front bumber? Whole car? Back wheel?

Greebo · 26 Mar 2012 at 14:08

lookitsjonno said:
I was under the understanding that the white line activated a camera which took 2 photos to determine if you actually continued through the junction?

And what part of your car constitutes "over the white line"? Front bumber? Whole car? Back wheel?

Not AFAIK. Most work on sensors on the whire line and trigger the camera if a car crosses when the lights are on red.

i5aces · 26 Mar 2012 at 14:08

Afaik the sensor it triggered by the wheel as it goes over sensors in the road.
You could say that your wheel only just went over as you were stopping, but I think it will be down to the judge to decide whether the fine stands or not.

lookitsjonno · 26 Mar 2012 at 14:10

i5aces said:
You could say that your wheel only just went over as you were stopping, but I think it will be down to the judge to decide whether the fine stands or not.

thats what happened, if I did genuinely jump a red then i'd happily take it on the chin. most annoying when i did actually stop, just a few seconds late

Greebo · 26 Mar 2012 at 14:14

This might help, a guy did get off for the same offence as you but he was technically found guilty but the judge applied no fines or points

http://www.trucknetuk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=62494

rodenal · 26 Mar 2012 at 15:03

OP if you choose to contest this, be aware that the individual in the above link seems to have escaped points due to taking action as an accident avoidance measure, not through lapse in concentration.....

Not that there is any guarantee you will receive similar treatment, though it would certainly be a better place to start from if you could have possibly experienced similar circumstances.

Brookert · 26 Mar 2012 at 16:35

At best you will get fined with no points, but its a risky decision.

Meridian · 26 Mar 2012 at 18:45

lookitsjonno said:
I was under the understanding that the white line activated a camera which took 2 photos to determine if you actually continued through the junction?

And what part of your car constitutes "over the white line"? Front bumber? Whole car? Back wheel?

From a purely legal standpoint, ANY part, including the back bumper if you're rushing an amber and it changes to red after you pass. It also technically applies if you stop with any part over the line, but mags may let you off if you did stop. With emphasis on "may".

M

Oggie · 26 Mar 2012 at 20:52

lookitsjonno said:
On the basis that I didn't breach the junction on a red light?

But your post says you broke late and went over the white line.. Seems like you realise how dumb that sounded and have changed your story.

Justintime · 26 Mar 2012 at 21:14

Mate, i understand where you're coming from. You didn't delibrately do it and technically didn't cause any hindrance or accidents as i reckon your wheels just about breached it from the sounds of your post. Unfortunate fact is that you broke the law and since the machine behind it all has no compassion or reason, you'll likely have to take it on the chin.
What annoys me is that there are a few cameras around here that just plain don't work and people delibrately jump them all the time, some way past the 0.8 sec apparently it takes before arming.

Oggie said:
But your post says you broke late and went over the white line.. Seems like you realise how dumb that sounded and have changed your story.

Breaching the junction and crossing the line can be two different things as many lines are set back from the actual junction, dosen't sound like he changed anything, just sounds like you want to talk down to someone and sound smart.

"andy" · 26 Mar 2012 at 21:22

You looked in mirror . You seen guy behind looking at his penis while on the mobile Phone , you decided not to brake as hard as possible so as not to get rear ended , you just went over the line .

Or

You wherent paying attention and braked late when you'd of probably got through anyway

One is a half good reason , one isn't.

bobuk · 26 Mar 2012 at 22:07

Had the same, 3 points 60 pound fine and a load of hassle when I came to insurance time, some company's would' even quote.

Rizo-UK · 26 Mar 2012 at 22:16

bobuk said:
Had the same, 3 points 60 pound fine and a load of hassle when I came to insurance time, some company's would' even quote.

what was the conviction code?