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Contravening Signs

Feb 27, 2013
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson

 

Question;

I have received a court summons for allegedly 'going through a red light', which the officer who pulled me over and who has submitted his witness statement says had been red for 'two or three seconds' before I went through it.
That is completely inaccurate, as the light turned yellow just before I went through it, and it was too late to stop safely. I did not go through a red light, and I did not accept the penalty notice, choosing instead to receive the summons and defend myself in court.
I have now received the summons and am trying to fill it out and return it. I am just trying to get my head around some of the implications.
I am definitely going to court. Although it may have been 'easier' in the long run to accept the fine and points, I refuse to be bullied into accepting a crime I didn't commit.
I am trying to ascertain whether or not I should be making the officer come to court as a witness or not? It gives me the option on the summons, but I don't know if it is necessary?
At the end of the day there are no witnesses or evidence other than myself and the officer who alleges the offence. As far as I can tell the best I can do is outline my professional character, draw attention to my stellar driving profile (20,000 miles in three years without as much as a parking ticket), and highlight that the officer is mistaken and has no witnesses to support his mistaken opinion (for example, I believe a speeding offence would require two officers to witness and corroborate each other?)
I suppose my question here is, as I am definitely not pleading guilty, do I bring the officer to court as a witness or can I simply argue against his 'witness statement' without him present, and how on earth do you defend yourself when it is one man's word against the other? Surely the burden of proof is on them?
Any assistance you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Feb 15, 2011
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
I received a notice for this offence and requested photographic evidence. The picture shows the back of the very back of the car going over the line on the red signal but I don't think it conclusively shows that the signal was red when the front of the car went over the line - do I have a case to appeal this?
Nov 30, 2010
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
I failed to stop at a red traffic light this morning in the snow and ice. I had tried to brake and slid, I was concerned that the van behind me would hit me and having assesed that there was no traffic waiting at any other entrance to the junction went across the lights. A traffic signal camera flased twice. I am not certain how fast i was going but would think it to be between 10 - 15 mph.
I have 3 points currently for a speeding offence in December 2008.Thanks for your assistance
Oct 5, 2010
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
Alleged Offence: Red light
Your road traffic offence question: I have three points only on my licence, but have received a 'intention to prosecute' notice from the police, saying they have photographic evidence. I go through this particular set of lights at least once a day Monday to Friday and generally twice on Saturdays. I don't remember being flashed. I have been offered a fixed penalty penalty + 3 points, or a court case. There is no form to make representations to a court. Am I wasting my time trying to find a way off this?
Oct 5, 2010
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
Dear Sirs - my question is as follows:
I turned left at a crossroads with traffic lights that had a green arrow shaped green light and a round blue sign with a white arrow in (both straight) which as I now know means straight on only. So I turned left and 2 policemen saw on there mountain bikes.
This is apparently offence 169 and comes with a £60 fine and 3 points! Seem extremely harsh.
Therefore my question is; is this an endorsable offence?
Ive read online that failure to comply with a traffic or police sign is non-endorsable.
Oct 5, 2010
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
Alleged Offence: Red Light Traffic Camera
Your road traffic offence question: Hi, the front end of my vehicle poked out across the stop line and activated the camera. I had only owned the car 3 weeks. According to the NIP I was moving at 16mph. I felt the vehicle didnt stop correctly so I took it to a garage and they replaced all pads and discs as they inspected it and found it was far below a safe/MOT passable level.
I have no points currently and have been driving 10 years. I would like to avoid points as I'm a x and points would hinder my career progression as I have been waiting 2 years for an opportunity to undertake a specialist course.
Do I have any defence in this circumstance?
Jul 28, 2010
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
failing to comply with an automatic traffic signal

I have no recollection of the light being on red and was totally unaware it was an offence to go through on amber. I have recieved the conditional offer and it states on the letter that i failed to comply with the red automated traffic signal by 1.1 second. I am not too sure what I could have done in 1.1 second to prevent going through. Is there any grounds for appeal on this as it is only 1second?
Jun 30, 2010
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
I comitted the offence but there are mitigating circumstances involved. 1. I am not familiar with the area in question and was following my SAT/Nav. 2. There were 2 other cars ahead of me committing the same offence but I was the only one stopped. 3. 2 other cars who later committed the same offence were not stopped. The Police told me that it was "SODS LAW" that I was stopped and that the otheres were not. And that they were having trouble with this turn for months. They also told me that I would recieve 6 points on my licence. My licence has been clean for the last 13 years ad I have never commited any trafic offences before. I am due before the magistrates on x and would ask if I should plead not guilty or accept the penalty, wich would probably be a fine and 6 points. This will effect my employment and my future status as a disabled driver.
May 25, 2010
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
I have been issued with a PCN relating to (if you have heard of on it on the BBC News) Wilton Road, Victoria in London.
As I approached the junction, there were sudden signs ahead indicating no right turn. I had already decided to turn right and it was confusing and dangerous for me to suddenly decide to go straight ahead as I should have done.
I soon found out cabbie from that a camera had been enforced and I would definitely get a a ticket.
Exactly a week later, going through the same route a second time, I noticed mammoth notices of road closure ahead including one of a camera enforcement.
Should there legally have been a notice to the public about a camera in action?
May 25, 2010
Category: Contravening Signs
Posted by: patterson
I was driving my taxi and stopped at a zebra crossing to allow a pedestrian to cross the road. She showed no signs that she needed a taxi. As she began to cross the road she looked at me and gestured as if to say "are you available for hire?". I nodded but pointed to her further down the street past the zigzags. She just opened my cab door and got in. As I pulled away the traffic police car (which I had been aware of the whole time) pulled me over, sent my passenger away and gave me a fixed penalty notice of £60 and three points. When I protested that I am well aware of the law regards zigzags but felt I had no other option in this case. He told me I should have told her to get back out, drive 5 yards further down the road and pick her back up again then I would not have got any points. I feel hard done by but feel I have two traffic cops word against mine and they sent my only witness away. I believe there is a video recording of the incident on the traffic police cars dashboard camera so this might help. Do you think I have a chance of fighting this successfully? Thanks