Red Light Cameras and failing to turn right

You will need to wait to see what comes in the mail – if you get fined for running a red light, then write them a letter to explain – i think (guess!) the fine for changing lanes in an intersection is less than the fine for running the red. The cameras take a series of pics as the car goes though the intersection in case there is a collision, so they will have photos of you going stright ahead rather than running the red.

This is a wind up right?
You went straight from the wrong lane = illegal. Do the crime, pay the fine.
The lane you were in had a red light so under a purposive interpretation, you still ran a red light.

Sounds to me like an offence under the strict application of the law. A right turn lane is just that, and going straight ahead is a change of lane.

You could however argue that as there is no lane delineated on the roadway at that point (according to Google Earth) ie no defining broken lines after the stopping line, that you did not in fact change lanes and no lane was marked. I would be taking that tack if any.

You might not even get a ticket, the department might decide the camera didn’t actually ping you for what was intended.

Chaz said :

no, it would only be an offence if you indeed turned right on the red signal.

No, its illegal to go straight from a right turn lane. Regardless if you change your mind after getting there.

Solidarity said :

Yeah that’s what triggered the camera, but it would do that for if I was breaking a red light. I’m asking if i’ll get a fine for… changing lanes through an intersection.

Technically you have proceeded when arrow red, even if you eventually went straight instead. You moved off from that lane, that has a red light.

It sounds like the camera did flash because you moved away from the right hand lane on a red, making the camera think you had run the red light.

Have you got a picture? Does you car look like it’s going straight ahead, cause if not, the RTA will agrue there is no proof that you didn’t turn right.

Pay the fine, ACT revenue need the money

Had the same. Stopped at red arrow, took an enternity to change, green light straight ahead so I indicated left and proceeded straight instead.

Got a ticket a few days later. Wandered down to the Motor Reg, as I hadn’t committed the offence of turn against signal. They pulled out the photo, we had a discussion. The photo showed my indicator of left with me pulling into the lane to proceed straight with the green light, they withdrew the ticket.

“Well, it is illegal to change lanes through an intersection”

Guess the above puts pay to that bollocks line doesn’t it

My guess is that you’ll only be fined for entering against a red signal.

Was the flashing light behind you or in front of you, it could have been going off to catch anyone coming opposite just as their loght changed?

Yeah that’s what triggered the camera, but it would do that for if I was breaking a red light. I’m asking if i’ll get a fine for… changing lanes through an intersection.

Could be that you got pinged for entering the intersection against a red signal. Once you crossed the white line you would have triggered the camera.

BenMac said :

Well, it is illegal to change lanes through an intersection, which sounds like what you’ve done. You were first in the que to turn right, and instead crossed the intersection from the right turning lane, correct?

Which intersection/red light camera was it, cause I didn’t think red light cameras targeted right turning lanes, just cars going straight through.

Canberra Av/Captain Cook Cres, Telopea Bound.

no, it would only be an offence if you indeed turned right on the red signal.

Well, it is illegal to change lanes through an intersection, which sounds like what you’ve done. You were first in the que to turn right, and instead crossed the intersection from the right turning lane, correct?

Which intersection/red light camera was it, cause I didn’t think red light cameras targeted right turning lanes, just cars going straight through.