On Sun, 11 May 2008 23:43:31 +0100, Sleepalot
wrote:
>(Casual question) When did it become illegal to go through a red
>light? I thought red lights were to be treated as "stop" signs, and
>that it was permissible to go through - with caution - under unusual
>circumstances (eg, if the lights were obviously faulty).
As far as I understand, it is mandatory to stop at a red light. Green
lights are not even a licence to proceed regardless but only if
proceeding is safe.
In practice, if the lights are obviously faulty, a blind eye is turned
to going through but strictly speaking it is an offence unless
directed to do so by a police constable in uniform. I wonder if one
would be committing an offence if one dialled 999 on the mobile and
demanded a policeman immediately to permit me to go through the
lights.
--
Alasdair. |