Argh, just gone through a red light, two police cars parked up with flashing red lights distracted me

[whatsthatnow74]

Just that.

Was on the school run, saw two parked police cars with red lights flashing and was so busy wondering what their purpose was that I drove straight through a red traffic light literally a few yards up from where they were parked. It’s a traffic light on a pedestrian crossing.

I could kick myself!

Camera?

Not sure.

It was a bit unusual which is why I ran the light. The two police cars were stationary with their lights flashing red. They were on my side of the road facing the same direction as me, so I approached them from behind.

It was hard to know what they were doing as one was parked half up on the grass verge and the other was on the double yellow lines. I slowed down as I approached and went round the one parked on the road, but then completely forgot about the traffic light until I was on top of it and half way across. 🙈

I went through one a few weeks ago. No idea why! First time ever. Horrified but nothing has come of it yet.

@GioGirl this is my first time too! I would one so worried if it wasn’t for the police cars, but then I wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for the police cars!!

*wouldn’t be so worried

I’d imagine if they were going to do anything they’d have pulled you there and then. I suppose there’s a small chance they would have noticed and noted your reg number but I think it’s unlikely. You have a two week waiting period now to know for sure though.

What are you posting for? If you want people to tell you it’s ok, well, it clearly isn’t, or are you posting for reassurance or what?

My mom waited for the crossing to turn red so she could pull our of a junction and pulled right over the crossing by mistake she was very stressed and distracted that day and took much better care the next time

@ShirleyPhallus I’m just mad at myself I suppose

I’ve driven through one before. No excuse, just looking at the wrong set of lights in a strange town. Made me feel sick afterwards. I guess you’ll never do it again now so put it down to a lesson learned which is what I did!

I drove through one on my way home when DS was discharged from hospital at 1am & he was in the car seat having some sort of screaming reaction to the medication he was given. Still gives me shudders every time I drive through that junction!! Nothing came of it, presumably no camera at the lights & nobody to see as the streets were totally deserted.

On the rare occasions I've done this I have a little wander on Google Street view and see if there's a fixed camera on them..I think the police would have pulled you there and then for it if there were going to.

It’s just that feeling when you realise but there’s nothing you can do but keep going. I’ll just have to wait and see if anything comes of it 🤷🏻‍♀️

Please accept any fine or points with a good grace if you get them.

I've never seen flashing red lights on a police car. Only blue. Curious.

Google tells me they use them to indicate that the vehicle is stationary. So bizarre as I am certain I've never noticed any before.

As a PP says, you can Google the location of fixed traffic light cameras. Locally there are few.

It’s upsetting when you make a driving mistake but everyone does (even those who consider themselves perfect drivers) so don’t beat yourself up.

Improve your driving in future.

Probably not a camera on a pedestrian crossing, they're more common at junctions.

I've gone past a red because I was looking at the wrong lights before now. Fortunately I realised before I actually drove into the path of cross traffic!

@NanooCov I know, that’s why I was distracted, don’t think I’ve ever seen red flashing lights either!

@nosswith well, yes, I realise that I have no excuse and would just accept any repercussions. By the same token, everyone makes mistakes while driving and I’m annoyed with myself and have been fretting on it ever since, so either way, it won’t go unnoticed.