Accidentally ran through a red light - feel absolutely Terrible

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hiya, I feel so silly posting this but I’m honestly so terrified. I feel awful. I was driving in an unfamiliar area and turned the corner, was focusing too much on everything else going around me and looked up! I’m going right through a red light. I’m so thankful nobody was hurt, and I feel so so stupid.

this happened a few days ago. i haven’t been able to concentrate now because I’ve been so worried about getting in trouble and a letter through the post. i know it’s not the end of the world, and I’ve certainly learnt from this, but I feel so so terrible, im really making myself unwell. I know I do deserve that and I’m not looking for pity just advice :/

Ive had a look at the area since and there were a couple of yellow average speed cameras set up nearby. they’re really tall and on a yellow pole. I’m not sure if these detect red light offences too :/ I don’t really know what to expect and I honestly am making myself so anxious I feel sick. It’s making me really unwell and I feel like an awful person (I know it’s my fault) I just don’t really know who to talk to about it

Worst thing that can happen is that you get 3 points and a fine. Or you might get offered a red light awareness course and/or fine, I can't remember which.

Or nothing might happen.

Is the thought of a a fine that's worrying you, would you struggle to pay? You can't change what happened and you shouldn't worry about what you can't change.

The worst case scenario is you get a fine/points on your licence for a period of time (but not many lights do have cameras). I have seen people go through red lights on purpose and wish there was actually more surveillance about this.

Just be glad that nothing else happened and you can probably put it down to experience and a lesson to concentrate in future.

hiya, i have had my license for under 2 years, so it feels absolutely terrifying that if I get this and make one more mistake that’s it .

Not so much the fine, but the repercussions of the 3 points. my insurance will be unaffordable if I do, and I’m just really worried in general about it all :( I know there’s no point its just absolutely driving me mental

i definitely will concrete more in the future

It seems an overreaction that you are still worrying about this. Perhaps you are stressed or anxious and need to look at ways to decompress

Stick a picture from Google street view of the lights up. Unless there is a proper camera you should be ok.

As others say, concentrate more!

What's the point in worrying. Highly likely nothing will happen. If it does, deal with it then.

Hiya, it was these lights

Can you go back to the area to check if there's a camera mounted on top of the actual traffic lights?

I did similar a while ago, but I put my foot down as the lights changed from green to amber. They were still amber as I went through, but I thought I saw a flash and spent a couple of weeks worrying I might get a fine/points. Nothing came of it and I saw there wasn't a camera atop the lights anyway, when I drove through them again a month later. It taught me not to risk it again though!

Have you asked on a forum?
I did a Google search image and the question was asked on two occasions in recent days?

Answer seems to be no, and points to them being speed camera's

Edit. I've just seen the photo. There are definitely cameras, but they're not on the actual traffic lights, which would trigger as you drove through the red light.

I believe you should receive any notice within 14 days of the offence.

Also if you are going to get a fine/points they have to send you a letter within 2 weeks from the incident

I have driven through a red light before, nothing happened other than someone beeped me! Also been through red lights near my house many, many times as you can't turn the corner until they are red otherwise you'd be there forever. But the first time was a total lack of judgement.

If you google red light cameras there are interactive maps which show where they are so you’ll know for sure

do you think it’s likely that I won’t receive a letter. does them not being on the lights mean they might just be average speed cameras? thanks x

hiya, they also had a sign saying average speed camera just beforehand

You're probably fine, but if you search Red Light Cameras (England/Scotland/Wales/wherever you are), you can view a complete list of them online. For example, here's the complete Met Police list.