Safe Speed Forums

Hello,

I have a small problem I was driving along noticed a police car on the side of the road and went through traffic lights which i am sure were green.

I then got stopped 100 yards down the road, the policeman then told me what he thought I had done and explained that he was on the side of the road using his mobile phone and was watching my car as I drove straight through a red light.

I am sure that the light was green as I do not go through red lights, the only evidence he has is his word. Can anyone help or advise me?

And can anyone tell me more about CODE 660

Thank You

I wish I had better news for you, but the accusation itself pretty much amounts to an on-the-spot conviction.

It has happened to me too, I went through a traffic light on green-turning-amber but the stop line was quite a way back from the intersecting junction. A patrol car came around the corner, pulled me over, and told me he knew I had gone through a red light as his lights were changing as I went passed him.

I thought about it for a moment, and explained that the stop line was quite a way back from the junction and that I didn't pass him until a few seconds after I passed the line. He just ignored me and repeated the same thing, and wouldn't let me leave or speak to my family in the car until I accepted a fixed penalty 'conviction' notice. Lying bastard.

The only thing I can suggest is you try pepipoo or search for other sites. Did you get a fixed penalty notice?

http://www.pepipoo.com is probably a good place to go for advice on the red/green light business. They have a forum very similar to the one here. http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/roadlaw.htm might be useful to you as well, though I've only just come across that site recently and haven't had a good look yet.
No idea what Code 660 is about. Doesn't sound like any of the motoring offence codes. What context does it appear in?

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

Similarly wish I had better news. I and three others were done for going through a pelican crossing that was said by a police officer to be red. On the advice of the sergeant (who told me there were two others saying the same as me) I and the others went to court. Whilst three unconnected parties all said the light was green, Magistrate took the word of the police and charged us each £140 costs for arguing. You can't win seems innocent until proven guilty no longer applies. Police further had the cheek to tell the magistrate that they didn't stop any of us at the time because they tried but couldn't catch us. They were driving an unmarked Cosworth (shows how long ago it was) and the road opened up to a dual carrigway shortly after. I was driving a 20 year old MG! Have I trusted the police since, no not the locals.

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Big Rich

Oops, meant to type pedesrian crossing. I blame fat fingers!

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Big Rich

thanks for the advice.

One I really don't understand is....... don't the police have to be able to prove that the event took place and have evidence to this effect, if there were 2 officers then yes I am sure I would have no chance. but seeing as there was only one don't I have a little chance

I mean this policeman was on his own and probably distracted by using his mobile phone.

He told me that one of the lights was on green, and that he was on the side of the road parked up (obstructing the road slightly) using his mobile phone on double yellow lines.

Was he at the traffic lights when he was using his mobile phone or pulled to one side with his engine off??

If he was sat at the lights waiting for them to change, he was breaking the law and coupld be subject to a £1000 fine and 3 points!

If you have the free cash, I'd say take it to court. You may find that a magistrates court will back the officer immediately. If convicted, however, you can take it to appeal and stand a much better chance of an even and fair trial. You could also throw in a complaint to the Police Complaints Commission about the officer being on his 'phone for good measure.

he was on the side of the road and assuming his engine was off but can not be sure really.

My main query is does the officer/court have to prove that I did do this without reasonable doubt, I mean there is no evidence apart from this officer.

I don't really have the cash but if it saves me points and a fine then I can get some money together for this, as long as I can stand a good chance.

if it was just a fine I would probably pay it but I already have 3 points from a year ago.

Thanks for the advice