Jim Galbally

yep dojj i'm fully aware that i have commited an offense and that i am banged to rights. i'm just hoping that they are sensible enough to take into consideration the circumstances. my biggest risk is getting MORE than the 3 points i would have got if i just signed the form

Garage19

Jim,

Was the speed limit 40 mph?

If so, ask them if there was any speed discrimination or speed assesment on the signals as advised by DfT guidance for signals on high speed roads.

Jim Galbally

garage, bit late now

and yes it was a 40mph limit, and i was doing 39

Benni

I can't really give you any good advice but I do wish you all the best of luck with it.

Benni.

Garage19

Tis a shame. I could have checked the whole layout over for you. For instance if the stop line was 10mm too narrow you might have got away on a technicality.

big_wig_074

i go through amber lights all the time,as i was taught to in my hgv lessons,as stopping 18 tonnes in a short time usually ends in an accident!

focusv8

The Law (Statutory Instruction), doesn't seem to mention minimum times or in fact any times. Section 5

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1994/Uks...n_2.htm#mdiv34

ref above post:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/...ctionsonhi4101

.

Big G

Jim, your fucked.
I got done in the same kinda circumstances on the A34 in Cheadle, Amber light and 30 tonne of Fire Engine on Blues behind me, I went through and pulled over to let him pass, took it to court, got 3 points, fine upped to Ł60 plus court costs, and another Ł100 fine for contempt when I told the magistrate that when her house is on fire with her kids inside that she has gotta pray that the fire engine aint stuck behind me at a red light.

Happy Days

focusv8

Must have been worth Ł100 to see the court's reaction to that.

.

C4llyT

Should have been taught to slow to such a speed as to not be caught out in that way.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

worth the Ł100

but not 3 points

but yes jim, i don't think you will get away, but i don't think they will clobber you with any more than 3 points if it's a slow news day

dojj

iTrader: (3)

i was taught to drive to the lights as if they were going to change to red, and once the point of no return was reached, to keep on going as 90 peole claiming for injuries after being thrown out the front windows would be more expensive than going to court with a decent lawyer to get me off

C4llyT

Most of us drive cars, not buses though.
Can't fit 90 people in my car, and pay for my own insurance, don't have a bus company paying it for me.

Big G

Not really, that was a gram of coke in them days

tonyk

Jim, I wouldnt read that out to be honest. I think you just want to state the facts, such as. I was proceeding along the road when I saw an Ambulance in my rear view mirror with the siren on and flashing. I was blocking his path and checked the surrounding area and made sure it was safe to proceed through the lights.

I accept that I was a fraction late going through this light, however I would like to emphasise that I believed it was safe to do so at this time, as traffic had stopped for the ambulance. I would also like to point out that I would not consider running a red light under any other circumstance.

I thank you for taking the time to read/listen to my statement and hope you understand that I was only trying to help the Emergency Services.

C4llyT

All at 39mph....

Jim Galbally

Just turned up and asked to see the duty solicitor...

"We don't have one today"

Fuck

dojj

iTrader: (3)

good luck mate

fingers crossed

Deano

Was told after passing my test to treat a green light as danger and be careful on approach to it changing .

Makes sense too , if its a red light you know you have to stop no if no buts , if its green you have to think do I have time to stop if it changes , will i make it through etc

DanW@FastFord

iTrader: (1)

Surely they have to have one?

4x4

why doesn't it make a difference, he needs to know how long amber shows for before turning red in a 40mph zone!

and i thought you can go through an amber if your too close to the line to stop?

i always do it......

foreigneRS

perhaps you should read a copy of the highway code before you next drive anywhere then

andre_k

iTrader: (2)

it would be even less than what you said, as its less than 4 secs im sure.

rssteve

so what was the outcome?

big_wig_074

since when was the highway code a legal document for drivers?

C4llyT

Plenty of legal stuff in there, and is the drivers 'bible'.
To not know it's contents as a motorist is stupid, not least for the reason of protecting yourself from prosecution etc.
The amount of people that piss and moan for getting done for something they didn't know was wrong - knowledge is power, ignorance is not bliss.
Most van drivers are unaware of their speed limits being different to cars, a lot of people park on zigzags, which can get you 3 points, plenty stop in box junctions, list is endless.
There's no shame in knowing what you're doing on the roads.

dannyb

Unfortunately its not practical to slow down at every set of traffic lights just in case they change!!! I have on numerous occasions been loaded at 40 ton on a wet dual carriageway (50mph) only to have lights change as your approaching. However i agree theres no exuse for going through if its safe to stop or on red . Even have traffic lights at bottom of motorway slip roads now

Rant Over

RWD_cossie_wil

iTrader: (9)

The duty dog cannot attend a trail, and is only avaliable if the offence carries a custodial sentance, and are generally not interested in the slightest anyway.......

I don't care what people say, it is WELL worth forking out a bit of dough for a decent soliciter, or they will take you to the cleaners for fun

dannyb

What is the different speed limit for Vans? maybe i need to read it again as i confess i haven't looked at one since i did my last test

foreigneRS

i never said it was, but it sets out the rules for the road that you should know before driving. to not know it is ignorance and stupidity imo if you are in charge of a tonne of metal (or up to 40 tonnes in some cases) that can so easily kill

C4llyT

Practical or not, what you have to do to avoid risking going through red lights, and getting 3 points.
40 tonne of wagon t-boning a car won't end happily, this is the potential alternative of not being practical.

C4llyT

Too many take driving lightly.
Driving licence is a privilege, not a right.
Is it China they've only so many to go round, and when an owner of one dies your name goes into a hat, and you might be lucky and your name comes out, and pay thousands to own one?

focusv8

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...code/DG_070304

,

focusv8

Wherever it says "Must" or "Must not" there is a law backing up the statement with associated penalties.

.

dannyb

I never said i had been through a red light i was talking about amber, so if im doing 50mph and the light goes to amber as i am a car length away i have to stop!!!

The point i am trying to make (probably not well ) is there is a point at which you must stop and point where you can't physically stop this comes with experience and as far as i am ware is one of the things new drivers struggle with on lessons, However if youre getting flashed then you SHOULD have had time to stop allowing for road conditions etc

Hope that makes sense

On a slightly different not i went through a green light the other day turning left it was tight for my vehicle so had to go round steady making most of the space only to get a tirade of abuse of a van driver as his lights must have gone green (even though it had no effect on him).

foreigneRS

they just don't devote enough attention to it half the time - and often the worts offenders are those with kids in the car if you're driving, you're driving. not driving and reading the bloody newspaper. boils my piss

C4llyT

Yep, woman backed out of her drive with kid in babyseat in back, obscured by hedge until breached pavement.
I swerved 18 tonne of wagon to avoid hitting her.
Pulled up and said that was a bit dangerous to be told "Well I can't see, can I!"


No thanks for not killing her baby, but talked to like it was my fault!
Gotta love 'em....

foreigneRS

if she had read the highway code lately, she would have seen this one:
201

Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can.

C4llyT

That was my reply to her actually, try reading a highway code - go me

Had a car smacked up by a woman doing that years ago, she offered me knock for knock, which was kind....

Stu.H

How did you get on, Jim?