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Welcome to the SpeedCamerasUK.com red light camera Q&A page. We receive questions all the time from UK motorists relating to traffic light cameras and other UK speed cameras. We answer and publish these questions below. Before submitting your own question, please have a read through the red light camera questions, as we may already have the answer to your question.
Please note: SpeedCamerasUK.com does not operate any UK speed cameras, we have no connection to UK Government, Police, etc. We are therefore unable to advise you if have been caught speeding, or the progress of a speeding offence.
You can read and learn more about red light cameras via our popular webpage. If you have a comment you'd like to make about red light cameras you can complete the traffic light camera comment form.
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Question: I recently went through a red light with a Gatso camera (completely stupid of me I know) and a vehicle came out from my left. I swerved to prevent collision and was clipped by the other driver. Me and the other driver were both fine and swapped insurance details. My question is Do you think I'll receive a NIP for a traffic light offence or will this be escalated to a more serious matter?
Answer: That will be the decision of the police. You will need to wait and see if they contact you. Normally, this is within 14 days of the speed/red light camera being triggered.
Question: I got a letter from the police for traffic red light camera, but there is no red light camera, and I didn't get any pictures of my misdemeanor. If I drove on red, shouldn't they send me a photo? Is it possible to get a ticket from another camera, for example CCTV?
Answer: I would suggest that you ask the police for photographic evidence and the location of the camera that caught you. You will then be able to see the offence and how you were caught e.g. fixed camera, mobile camera, etc
Question: I went through a set of lights that was definitely showing orange. There was a car about 10 yards behind me which followed me through on a red light. I think the camera flashed. Would my car be captured on camera as well as the car behind me who obviously went through the red light?
Answer: The target car, would be the one behind your car. It will be clear from the photograph that the traffic light camera captures, who was driving through the red light while it was on red.
Question: I saw the amber light, and sped up a little to get across it before it turned red, but just as I was crossing it, it turned red, but I couldnt stop as it would have been too dangerous. I saw a flash though. Will I get prosecuted
Answer: You will have to wait and see, but yes it is likely that you will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) through the post.
Red light cameras are armed as soon as the traffic lights turn to red. If you were caught by the red light camera, a NIP is normally sent through the post (to the registered keepers address) within 14 working days.
Question: On 18.08.19 I was passing Camberwell Green Northband and my satnav "Waze" tell me that there was a red light camera, but my speed I think was more then 20mph and saw 3 flash behind me, so camera catch for speed or it was done by mistake?
Answer: All you can do is wait and see if you receive a speeding ticket. It certainly does sound like the red light enforced camera flashed at your vehicle. Red light cameras often have dual use in that they also act as speed cameras too.
For future driving you might like to consider buying and using the Cheetah c550 speed camera detector. The Cheetah c550 includes the location of all UK red light cameras and the speed that they enforce.
Question: I have been caught speeding through a set of traffic lights. The evidence photo only shows the registration plate of my vehicle. It does not show the car or the driver. Is it still possible for them to prosecute me solely based on a close up photo of my reg plate?
Answer: Traffic light cameras will capture two photos of the rear of the vehicle with surrounding road. You could request this photo from the police? The Notice of Intended Prosecution will be sent to the registered vehicles owners address, this is data held by DVLA . It will then be for the registered vehicle owner to confirm who was driving at the time of the speeding offence.
Question: I was caught by a traffic light camera totaly unaware that it was allso a speed camera. This was not displayed for well over half a mile back form this light (just the bus lane cameras) It was allso two lane road! I have recording from 0.6miles from these lights. I recently got new employment on the road and can not afford these points on my licence. I did a traffic light and speed course over 3 years ago and they have not ask me to attend one again what clearly states on first letter of receive, within 3 years you can not attend again! Will I have any luck at court fight this?
Answer: I would recommend that you seek the advice of a motoring lawyer. They will be able to confirm whether you have a strong case to fight the NIP in court.
Question: I was travelling home from work doing 40mph in which the speed limit is about 5/6 meters from the traffic lights when it went to amber and it was still on amber when I went through. I looked in my mirrors to see if there was any flash, I believe that the cameras were grey Gatso traffic signal cameras. I would just like to know if these type of cameras flash?
Answer: It sounds like you might have been caught by a rear facing Gatso speed camera. Gatsometer also manufacturer combined speed and red light camera. Both of these cameras will emit a bright flash when in operation. Speeding and going through a red light can and will trigger these cameras.
For alerts to all approaching speed and red light cameras you might like to consider buying the Cheetah c550 Platinum Edition speed and red light camera detector. The Cheetah c550 is the only speed camera detector that we sell to include fixed and mobile speed cameras, aswell as red light camera locations.
Question: I recently run a red light on the London Road, Ashford, Middlesex. Will I get a ticket?
Answer: That question is impossible for us to answer. All we can say is...
If you have been caught by the red light camera expect a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) through the post (to the registered keepers address), this is normally within 14 working days.
For future driving and alerts to all approaching speed and red light cameras you might like to consider buying the Cheetah c550 Platinum Edition speed and red light camera detector.
The Cheetah c550 is the only speed camera detector that we sell to include speed and red light cameras in the internal GPS database.
Question: Do traffic light camera also record speed when light is green or just red?
Answer: Yes, many traffic light cameras are speed cameras as well and will operate at any stage of the lights sequence - red, green or amber. The vast majority of red light cameras are made by the same company that make the Gatso speed camera.
Question: I've just had a speeding offence come through saying I was caught speeding on the Waterhouse Lane / Writtle Road junction in Chelmsford. As far as I was aware there is only a red light camera there. If Essex police have updated this camera to a dual purpose camera should there be lines. The road and/or different signage?
Answer: The vast majority of red light cameras found on UK roads are produced by Gatsometer, so it's not surprising that most provide dual functionality between speed and red light
I would recommend you refer to the ACPO guidelines for Police guidance on lines and signs.
Question: At the junction of Writtle Road and Waterhouse Lane in Chelmsford there is a camera. I thought it was for the traffic lights only as there are about 3 white lines marked on the road in front of the camera. I was flashed going through it a couple of weeks ago and have had a letter asking if i was the driver etc, however the letter was for speeding and not for going through the red light. I did speed up to get through as the lights had changed to amber and I thought I could make it. It states 37mph which I find hard to believe as the reason I went for it was I was being delayed by cars in front going slow. I thought to be done for speeding you had to be doing that speed for a set distance, mine could only have been about 30 yards at the most.
Answer: Many red light cameras also have dual use as a speed enforcement camera, as you've found.
Fixed point cameras such as the one you encountered, records the speed of your vehicle several metres away from the location of the camera. 30 yards sounds right.
Question: The camera in question is a red light camera with a yellow box just after. I past the light before it turned amber but had to slow as the car infront of the car infront of me slammed on brakes to reverse into a parking bay. I was still moving but got flashed once, I was about two car lengths past the "wait line" for the lights but still got flashed, am I liable to a fine or not? I'm usually extremely careful when it comes to red light cameras as would like to keep my license clean as I have done for it years.
Answer: SpeedCamerasUK.com is not connected with any UK Police or other local authority. We don't run, install or operate any speed camera – we just list where they are and information about them.
We are therefore unable to comment how the Police will view the incident when reviewing the photos captured by the red light camera. I would recommend that you contact the Police force who operate the red light camera for a definitive answer.
Question: A faulty red light camera on Shoot Up Hill at the intersection with Mill Lane facing direction of Maida Vale ie facing away from Cricklewood had flashed about ten times. I wasn't even passing the street light and actually came off Mill Lane. The camera flashed myself as well as others. I wondered who I could report this to before getting any ticket. I contacted the MET office and they couldn't help and neither could TFL. I doubt it's Brent Council as they have nothing on their website. The issue that concerns me is that people collecting debts are sometimes compensated or have targets to meet for collections. I'm worried about being sent a fine and being told the camera was not faulty. I have a receipt from a store which proves the direction and route I took but still I would like to report it to avoid any issues. This was on the 28th July 2016 at about 19:20. Can you help me by providing me details of whom I need to get in contact with?
Answer: We don't know who you should or could contact. We would say contact the MET Police, but you've already contacted them. If you were to receive a red light driving offence through the post, photographic evidence would also be recorded and available to you.
Question: I have often wondered about this type of incident. I am at a fairly straight forward crossroads or junction controlled by traffic lights and I am held by the red light at the front of the traffic queue. An emergency vehicle (let us say a fire engine) pulls up behind me with blue lights flashing and sirens on in full sound. The fire engine cannot navigate around me as it is a tight junction and I am under pressure to break the red light to allow the fire engine to pass, all other traffic has given way for me to do so, I do so and I get flashed by the red light camera. By default do I get nicked? Is it still my responsibility to prove my innocence? Has anybody else out there had to deal with this type of situation and if so, what happened?
Answer: We don't know the answer to your question. Has another UK motorist encountered the same incidence on a set of traffic lights enforced by a red light camera? If so, please contact us and tell us your experience and the answer to the question above.
Answer from a UK motorist: You asked about what happens if a Fire Engine etc comes and there is a red light camera.. Do you move out the way or not...?
My friend got points for just about going over the line to let though an Ambulance!!
So NO!! You can't go slightly over the white line to let though some blue lights. Or you will end up 3 points richer and £100 fine :( :( :(
Another motorist adds: After reading a post regarding been stationary at a solid white line and an emergency vehicle coming up behind you. I'm afraid to say you are not suppose to move until the lights go green or you as the driver are liable for a fine and fixed points. Drivers of these said emergency vehicles are aware of this law and should not use force to get through.
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Last updated: 11th September 2023
