Hi, What are the laws regarding temporary traffic lights, ie can u drive thru a red light if its safe?

Question

I drove thru a red at some temporary roadwork traffic lights and was pulled by a police car. I was issued with a fixed penalty notice. I always thought that with temporary lights, as long as you could see the other side ( in this case approximately 60 metres) and there was no traffic coming or waiting to come thru, you could drive through the red light. Can anyone tell me what the law is on this ?

Answer 1

Extract from the Highway Code

Traffic light signals and traffic signs
88: You MUST obey all traffic light signals (see Light signals controlling traffic section) and traffic signs giving orders, including temporary signals & signs (see Traffic signs and Road works signs sections) . Make sure you know, understand and act on all other traffic and information signs and road markings (see sections on Warning signs, Direction signs, Information signs,Road works signs and Road markings).
Laws RTA 1988 sect.36, TSRGD regs 10,15, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 36, 38 & 40

Check out their site - bummer about the fixed penatly

Answer 2

Temporary Traffic Lights Law

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Hi, What are the laws regarding temporary traffic lights, ie can u drive thru a red light if its safe?
I drove thru a red at some temporary roadwork traffic lights and was pulled by a police car. I was issued with a fixed penalty notice. I always thought that with temporary lights, as long as you could see the other side ( in this case approximately 60 metres) and there was no traffic coming or...

Answer 4

As with fixed traffic lights, you have to obey them.

However, there are some reasons why you are allowed to ignore the red light.

One main reason is if you have waited for at least 5 minutes and the lights haven't changed then there could be a fault which means you could drive through as long as you do so at a slow pace. Although this case is rare, it is possible that it could happen.

If the Police were to catch you/pull you over for this then you could explain that you'd waited for 5 minutes and nothing had happened so you thought it was a fault, therefore you carefully drove through.

Kind Regards,
Free Legal Advice UK

Answer 5

Illegal to go through red just because you can't see anything coming, but I think there is a rule which states that if you are waiting at a red light for so many minutes (can't remember hwo many) then you can go through. It's not a short time, it's in case traffic lights break down etc.

Answer 6

a red light is a red light. Read your highway code. Ignorance of the law is no defence. Furthermore, do you think the police officer gave you an illegal ticket for the hell of it? These things are in place for a reason and we must takeour mistakes or misconceptions in good grace and learn from them.

FOr instance, you say you could see well enough to know it was safe to run the red light - but you didnt see the police car, did you?!!

Answer 7

Red light means stop even when there are no vehicles coming. The motorist must stop, otherwise, moving on while the red light is on is already a violation. Nevertheless, you could appeal your case that there is no vehicle that is coming and it might be given due course.

Answer 8

No you can't drive through a red light. Just because there's nothing there at the time, there could be when you start to drive.
Going through red lights is dangerous and idiotic and a huge pain that drives me mad.

Answer 9

You possibly have a point. I know that at one time, temporary lights set up because of road works, did not carry the force of law. I am not sure if that is still the current situation. I think that they would always have provided prima facie evidence of blame.

Answer 10

The traffic light laws apply to any form of traffic light set up by the government/council. So if it is legitamite council business then you treat them like proper ones but if its kids having a laugh you don't.