Red light infringement? Help

2) I’ve heard that red-light cameras actually take two photos, the second one to confirm that you did indeed pass though the intersection. So even if there was a camera in your direction, you’d probably be fine anyway

I got ‘done’ by the camera further West on Hindmarsh near the parkway many years ago, it took two photos… I was there for both of them haha.

That intersection only has one camera and it is facing towards Woden on Hindmarsh Drive so you wouldn’t have been shot as the sensors are along that stop line (that would have been on your immediate right) and only get traffic heading down the hill.
So all is good alex!!

By the way, does anyone else feel it is a little ripped off that the camera faces DOWN the hill? Try and tell me it hasn’t been strategically placed to catch motorists under greater than usual forward momentum as the descend that dirty big hill!!

M0les said :

The red-light cameras aren’t triggered by a car entering the intersection – they just fire a set period after the light changes to red. So it seems that even if there is a camera there (Erg0 suspects not), it wouldn’t have taken a photo of you and called plod because the light was red all the time.

Ive seen an ambulance travel through a red light and have its photo taken. The cameras are connected to the road sensor as well as working in sync with the red light cycle. You can also achieve the same result if you pull up on a road sensor at a red light, then reverse back to change lane, the camera simply senses you’re there then you’re not and will take a photo.

Another interesting quirk Ive found, is if you flash your headlights at a mobile speed van when youre close enough, you can trigger it to flash.

Also just because your photo might have been taken it doesnt mean an infringement will be issued, but for all our sakes, just pretend like you did get an infringement, and dont be travelling through any red lights while distracted again, eh?

M0les said :

The red-light cameras aren’t triggered by a car entering the intersection – they just fire a set period after the light changes to red. So it seems that even if there is a camera there (Erg0 suspects not), it wouldn’t have taken a photo of you and called plod because the light was red all the time.
To further put your mind at ease, I think these cameras are targeting the exit of the intersections, so you’d have to have made it all the way across the intersection to be fully in frame.

Depends upon which interestion. Some of the older ones in Canberra are triggered by sensors just past the white line. To be nabbed you need to cross both. These also can do you for speeding too. With the others yes they do trigger when the lights go red, but again think some also have sensors for later entries and speeding, and all book you on entry to the intersection not the exit.

As to the OP it does appear from what others have said you won’t get a fine because of the way these ones are set-up, but by all rights you should because it is inattention like that that causes accidents and a fine one would hope would make you more attentive next time.

M0les said :

The red-light cameras aren’t triggered by a car entering the intersection – they just fire a set period after the light changes to red. So it seems that even if there is a camera there (Erg0 suspects not), it wouldn’t have taken a photo of you and called plod because the light was red all the time.
To further put your mind at ease, I think these cameras are targeting the exit of the intersections, so you’d have to have made it all the way across the intersection to be fully in frame.

I think what you should do is learn how stuff works before you assert your wisdom.

There are three lines before the white line on most intersections where Red Light Cameras are. Yes they are on the entrance to the intersection. These lines both trigger the camera to go if a car is speeding OR if it crosses over them and moves into the intersection. The offence is not stop at line on a red light.

The camera flashes after the light turns red to get the people who think they can beat the amber light, by the by running an amber light will also loose you 3 points and $290.

1) Keijidosha is right; the camera there operates on westbound hindmarsh, and all cameras operate only in one direction (look at the angle…how could that camera get a picture of your plates when you’re travelling north?)

2) I’ve heard that red-light cameras actually take two photos, the second one to confirm that you did indeed pass though the intersection. So even if there was a camera in your direction, you’d probably be fine anyway

3) Just ignore the standard holier-than-thou posters that characterise this forum/blog/news site/whatever it’s trying to be these days

essfer said :

Tooks said :

You probably deserve one to be honest. I’ve had someone run up the back of me doing exactly the same thing.

So because the OP wasn’t rear-ended they should suffer a hit to the wallet instead? Everyone has at some time balked at the lights because they were looking at the wrong one. Why do we have to be infallible at all times?

Even I’ve done it, and I’m so close to perfection that we share ordnance.

What? I’ve read that first sentence four times and I still don’t understand what you’re on about. Think you may have missed my point…by a mile.

If there’s a camera there you stand a good chance of an infringement. Exactly the same thing happened to me, different set of lights. I wrote to the red light camera office seeking withdrawal of the infringement citing an honest mistake, that I hadn’t proceeded through the intersection, that I reversed back as soon as I realised my mistake and my good driving record etc. To no effect, the infringement was upheld. I elected to go to court. The magistrate ruled in my favour and gave the prosecutors a serve for their inflexibility and taking the silly matter as far as court. I still had to pay court costs which were slightly less than the infringement.

Good luck. Hope you don’t get pinged and you don’t have to take the matter as far as I did.

Keijidosha said :

Fixed red light cameras only operate in one direction, in the case of the Yamba/Hindmarsh intersection this is the westbound lanes of Hindmarsh. You have nothing to worry about.

Thanks for confirming, I thought that was the case, but I’ve never had occasion to test it.

I’m big enough to admit that I’ve had the occasional “ahthelightjustchangedohshitnoitdidn’t” moment, but I don’t think I’ve ever made it further than lifting off the brake and quickly reapplying it.

a) If you paid attention, it wouldn’t have happened.
b) If you receive a fine – pay it – and learn your lesson.
Everyone makes mistakes, some just cost more than others.