They are just normal Gatso cameras set up a certain way right? Do they monitor speed too?

I triggered one on A34 Kingsway just before you get to the M60 slip road. Made the stupid split second decision to go through on amber instead of braking (had some extra weight in the car and I just thought it would take longer to brake or something). Anyway, I triggered the camera without a doubt as I saw the flashes.

I deserve what's coming in the post, but was just wondering if these things can check your speed too? I think I was doing about 46 (in a 40) when the camera flashed. Pretty sure I was doing around 40 as I had only just passed a speed trap 400 yards earlier then put my foot down while attempting to get through on amber.

EDIT: just found this that might have answered my question http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/traffic-light-camera.htm

Edited 22 February, 201115 yr by Liquidice

They are just normal Gatso cameras set up a certain way right? Do they monitor speed too?

I triggered one on A34 Kingsway just before you get to the M60 slip road. Made the stupid split second decision to go through on amber instead of braking (had some extra weight in the car and I just thought it would take longer to brake or something). Anyway, I triggered the camera without a doubt as I saw the flashes.

I deserve what's coming in the post, but was just wondering if these things can check your speed too? I think I was doing about 46 (in a 40) when the camera flashed. Pretty sure I was doing around 40 as I had only just passed a speed trap 400 yards earlier then put my foot down while attempting to get through on amber.

EDIT: just found this that might have answered my question http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/traffic-light-camera.htm

Yes, they check your speed.. I'm pretty certain it's only so they can judge whether it was safe for you to pass through or something like that?

not all check your speed, but some are dual operation (speed + red light)

there is a manchester police site that tells you locations of all cameras and the functions they have, they wont tell you whether the boxes contain films, as by law they dont have to specify (as it can make it easy for criminals to plot routes without working cameras) or such is the reason on the GMP's site

not all check your speed, but some are dual operation (speed + red light)

there is a manchester police site that tells you locations of all cameras and the functions they have, they wont tell you whether the boxes contain films, as by law they dont have to specify (as it can make it easy for criminals to plot routes without working cameras) or such is the reason on the GMP's site

Well, I had a fine for going through a red light once and it showed my speed when flashed on the paperwork..

If you were so close to the Lights that it was un-safe to brake and stop then going through the Amber light may have been the right thing to do.

thats not a feasible excuse, because you should always reduce your speed when approaching traffic lights, especially if they are on green, because obviously its only going to do one thing, which is turn amber and then red. its not inconsistent, it happens every time and therefore no court will accept it as a valid excuse.

if you contested it in court, you could be prosecuted in the worst case scenario for driving without due care and attention.

so whenever you approach green traffic lights, assume they will change, and factor your speed appropriately so if required, you can stop in time.

this will also help you maintain a consistent speed and if you can reduce the amount of uncessary accleration and braking you can help increase your fuel economy as well.

and rich, as said some are dual function. speed cameras on green and traffic light cameras on red

If you were so close to the Lights that it was un-safe to brake and stop then going through the Amber light may have been the right thing to do.

I had extra weight in the car at the time, the boot was full and so were the back seats. I just sort of panicked and thought I'd fuck up my brakes if I was to brake hard... either that or stop in the middle of the crossroad instead.

It certainly wasn't a long amber and it went red as i had already crossed the line (just). The flash of the camera itself was quite late (i was already half off the junction it self by the time it flashed.

I'm not trying to get out of a fine/points or anything, i should have already been reducing my speed when coming up to the junction in the first place. I just would rather not also get done for speeding and end up with 6 points and two fines!

Does anyone have a link to this Manchester website for the cameras etc? quick google search didn't help.

I just sort of panicked and thought I'd fuck up my brakes if I was to brake hard... either that or stop in the middle of the crossroad instead.

haha try using that one in court... how did you pass your test?

What if someone ran out in front of you? Better to save your brakes yea?

If your car is overloaded to the point that it cannot emergency stop within a safe distance then get the fuck off the road.

Edited 22 February, 201115 yr by Narrow_Lane

I just sort of panicked and thought I'd fuck up my brakes if I was to brake hard... either that or stop in the middle of the crossroad instead.

haha try using that one in court... how did you pass your test?

What if someone ran out in front of you? Better to save your brakes yea?

If your car is overloaded to the point that it cannot emergency stop within a safe distance then get the fuck off the road.

Hostile fella aint you?

I fail to see where I ever said that was going to be my excuse in court? In fact, I remember saying that was my reason for stupidity and that I accept what had happened and will take punishment too.

If i'd have stopped with the car not loaded up, I would have still stopped over the line as the stopping distance at 40 is like 80 foot or something? So the reason I panicked is because, in that split second moment I remembered that i wasn't normal weight so stopping distance was going to be longer and since I don't know off the top of my head how much a shit load of boxes full of all sorts from hair dryers to an iron weights when added up. I put my foot down instead.

Hardly like I went through the red like to get somewhere faster or just because it was quiet at 1am on a Sunday morning is it? I simply made the wrong split second judgement.

So chill your beans.

Edited 22 February, 201115 yr by Liquidice

Sorry, bad day at work and it was my lunch - felt like taking it out on a randomer

The problem is you should never have to make that split second judgement. As said above there should be ample time to make a decision as you approach the lights. More so if you know that you are overloaded.

Never mind, given the situation you found yourself in, I think you should have had more faith in your car's brakes... since it will have a servo and ABS these things are put in place to bring you to a standstill much faster..

Also you shouldn't have been speeding.. :p

If you were so close to the Lights that it was un-safe to brake and stop then going through the Amber light may have been the right thing to do.

Yeah, but pulling that off as an excuse whilst doing 46 in a 40 might take a bit of doing.

if u think at 40 mph the stopping distance is 80foot you are havin a laugh! thats about 45feet iirc and I've stopped a car at 40 in a lot less than that!

stopping from 60 mph is 120ft IIRC in the highway code, so 40 is 80ft.modern cars easily surpass this.

@Narrow_Lane - No biggie mate! The reason the car was loaded up in the first place was after helping a friend move house, I was having 'one of those days' when I ran the red in the first place.

@Yeti - I was doing no more then 40 in a 40 when I crossed the 'stop' line but increased my speed to get across the junction faster after spotting the amber turning red. When the I noticed the flash I instantly looked down to see I was then doing 46.

@mad-dean - Not having a laugh no, i simply did a quick Google search to find out how far the stopping distance is and that's what the result is. It is slightly down to the road surface and tyre wear too I'd have thought so 80 foot is just a guide amount.

Either way, still nothing in the post yet and it's day 10. I fully expect the fine to come though.

Day 16 now (I think) and no letter through.

Still not getting my hopes up but, if it never comes through and I get lucky, I certainly learnt my lesson as I NEVER gamble with amber any more!

it might be lost in the post

just wanted to add to your paranoia :p

it might be lost in the post

just wanted to add to your paranoia :p

*starts to shake*

Bastard!

I believe they have 6 months before it's too late. For traffic offences anyway.

two weeks, IIRC?