Hi everyone, I am wondering if anyone could give me advice on my worries that I might be getting a red light camera fine.
I was driving across the intersection of Northbourne Avenue and Barry Drive. When the traffic light turned amber, I was too close to the intersection and was unable to pull up safely in time. So, I accelerated to cross the intersection. I saw the red light camera flashed, just before I got to the other end.
It could be two reasons:
– The traffic light turned red before I crossed the intersection; or
– My speed was over limit
It was an uneasy judgment when the traffic light changed so soon. I tried to avoid a panic stop which may cause the car behind running into my back. I wasn’t sure whether I’ve go over the speed limit cause it was heavily raining and I was a bit panic.
I am worried that I may be getting a ticket next week.
Does anyone know how much does the fine usually cost for running a red light camera? Will it cause any demerit points?
Thanks very much.
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Traffic lights turn orange, then it is another 3 seconds before it will turn red, then you need to worry.
if you crossed before the three seconds, you will be fine
No, let’s not spend millions catering to those who can’t handle traffic lights and haven’t worked out yet that sneaking a peek at the ambient light in the shades of traffic lights often gives them their amber countdown to green.
It’s a red light. You’re not going anywhere. Knowing the countdown isn’t going to change that. And yet you want to spend taxpayer money to save the time taken for a signal to travel from your eyes to your brain and then down to your foot?
So then people will rush to beat the clock.
Take a chill pill. Why overcomplicate a system which works so people can count the seconds.
Mr Gillespie said :
Agree with this suggestion. The timer doesn’t have to on constantly, but could come on 10-15 seconds prior to the lights changing. There is at least one intersection in Canberra where a system like this already operates – it has permanent bike-crossing lights installed – once the red bike/pedestrians flashes you know that the green light is about to change to amber.
I’m with Mr Gillespie
Totally Canberra should have these installed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7dZj0n0LOw
Some other countries have them installed…
Special G said :
It’s not actually that far out an idea. I’ve seen these in parts of Asia eg Thailand. They count downthe green, then the amber, then the red.
Where it really becomes useful is when you are crossing the road in Bangkok. You know how fast to run before you get mowed down by a hundred scooters (scooters always sneak to the front at intersections).
But it does become a bit of a drag race 😀
A countdown to the light turning green would be welcomed by the dragway lobby, no doubt.
Putting aside the fact that the time between lights isn’t constant or predictable at many intersections, this would render worthless my years of involuntary research into traffic light patterns at various intersections around Canberra. As such, I oppose it on human rights grounds.
Special G said :
Not as black and white as that.
The timer system I propose (which you reject outright as just kidding/serious delusion) would not just be for how long a light stays green, but also how long a light stays red, for like when you are sitting at an intersection just guessing and guessing and guessing as to how long the lights will stay red before they suddenly go green. The timer would let you know when you can get ready to go after sitting at a red light for so long.
A timer on a green light would let you know if the light is about to go amber, and as such would save you having to panic or rush through.
Can’t work out what to do at a RED light = shouldn’t have your licence.
No trolling, sounds like the OP is not a very good or experienced driver and probably shouldn’t be in charge of a vehicle.
What Special G said.
imarty said :
sniff… sniff, yep, definitely the rather putrid scent of troll here. Ok people, nothing to see here, move it on, move it on, nothing to see here…
imarty said :
imarty said :
I hope you get laid.
A little clock – you have to be kidding – or just seriously deluded. This is exactly what an amber light is.
Amber light – stop unless unsafe to do so.
Locking up brakes to stop = unsafe. duh.
Speeding up to get through the intersection = had time to stop safely at the amber light.
Can’t work out what to do at an amber light = shouldn’t have your licence.
imarty said :
I hardly think that is fair or reassuring. If the driver had to stop suddenly in the rain because the lights SUDDENLLY changed at the most dangerous and inconvenient time, his wheels would lock and he’d be stuck in the middle of the intersection. Either that, or risk a fine, which is time and time and time again described as “voluntary” but I beg to differ.
What really needs to happen is for a little clock to display how long it will be before the lights change, to save you from having to worry about such risks, or would that put a dent in the Government’s coffers through loss of revenue through fines or expense of installing such timers?
(I am not joking by the way)
Rangi said :
well, damn; if that ain’t the finest quote of the week… 😀
switch said :
no but I believe you can phone the RTA and ask – but I don’t believe they won’t give it out over the phone for privacy reasons. You may have to do something extra to get the info.
Lolz @ Pork Hunt. Here comes a……NOTHER ONE!
imarty said :
Wow, imarty, who sucked the red off your lollypop, the op never said they were speeding up to the lights, they said they were too close to stop safely, then that they may “might” of unintentionaly sped up in the intersection. So you hope they lose their licence because they either took reasonable action or because their judgement call in a split second situation was maybe not perfect, what a charming, charitable person you sound like.
Wouldn’t it be a lovely world if every one always made the exactly spot on choice all the time, curse those flawed humans…maybe you could hold some classes, so we can all be perfect just like you. The class motto could be “There are 3 ways to do things, the right way, the wrong way and the imarty way, which the same as the right way, but even more corrector.
Apparently research done overseas shows that red light cameras result in an increase in nose to tail accidents – but they reduce the number of accidents where people are t-boned by idiots running red lights. If you had to chose, you’d probably prefer to have somebody ram you from behind (not that there’s anything wrong with that!) than run into your driver’s side door.
Is there any way to check your current points count online?