I ran through a red light! So ashamed of myself

[MilkyCoffeeAndSkinnySyrup]

I've been driving for 7 years and I ran through a red light for the first time... I am utterly mortified! It was at a junction, it was completely empty and I just drove through it! I thought what the hell was I thinking! I just wasn't thinking... I couldn't see any cameras, and nothing flashed but I hate being dishonest and I am thinking of going to the police station to tell them... will I get disqualified from driving? I'm so stupid! There might have been cameras I will be going back later to check but it's done now :( what should I do?! I've admitted I made a mistake I won't be making any excuses cos it's my own fault

Relax. Most likely nothing will happen.

It will be fine! I was on a roundabout and didn't even seen that there were any traffic lights. It was about 10 years ago. Went straight through while ds shouted "mummy it's red!!" nothing happened!

I wish other drivers were just as ashamed.

You made a mistake, no one was hurt. Deep breath, learn from it, play a fine if you get one and move on.
Everyone makes mistakes, this is small in the big world. You aren't dishonest or bad. You're human.

I went through a red light a while back, I was mortified, like you, as I would never have considered doing anything like that deliberately. Nothing happened... but it's stuck with me and made me much more cautious, around that area in particular.

Just forget about it fgs.

Relax, I've done it twice in my life - never deliberately though. First time was the night my GD had died and I wasn't thinking and 2nd time was I just distracted and didn't spot the light. Both times there was very little traffic about.

I did this once too. Precisely once. I had DD in the car which made me feel ten times worse. It was a stupid mistake but it changed my driving and now I'm hyper vigilant. Been driving for 10 years and it was a kick up the arse, a reminder not to get cocky.

I understand the feeling of guilt, OP.

It happens, no one is perfect. Don’t worry

I went through a red light when there was a police landrover right behind me. Obviously they pulled me over. I apologised profusely and they sent me on my way.

Stop worrying.

You’ll be more vigilant next time, don’t beat yourself up

I did this once, many years ago. Felt like a right idiot.

What happens if I did get caught? What penalty/points will I incur?

!!! OP you sound really lovely! If you went to the police station they'd have a right laugh!!!! Honestly it's fine!!! I really wouldn't do that!!

I've jumped a red about 4 times by accident in my 23 years of driving! The first time I was just 18 and did actually get caught on camera!! - I think it was 3 points on my licence and a fine! No big deal!! (although a bit mortifying for a brand new 18 year old driver!)! To be honest though, I was super super unlucky to have been caught on that occasion - usually there arent cameras at traffic lights and I strongly suspect you will be fine. However, in the very very worst case scenario you'll just get 3 points on your licence and a fine.

Relax! It's so fine it really really is!!

Actually, in your case, you sound so perfect and that you never do anything wrong, but maybe this will show you we are all human! Even those that are usually goodest of good make mistakes! and that's ok! It's all part of being human!

I fully appreciate how your feeling.....I did this a few years ago I was in a slow moving line of traffic...the lights changed to amber when I was on the line and my back wheel went over it when it was red... think it was 3 seconds after it had changed. There was a camera...and I got a letter from the police I paid the fine £60-80 can't remember exactly how much... I also attended a driving awareness course day to avoid getting any points on my license. I had never done "anything wrong " before and was mortified... but mistakes do happen if and only if you were caught on camera that's all that will happen to you...they won't take your license away.

Going the police station to ‘hand yourself in’ for going through a red light when you didn’t knock anyone down or crash into another car is mental, sorry!
Most people have done it and the vast majority don’t have cameras. No, you won’t get you licence taken away.

3 points on your licence, and a fine that takes into account household income - DH paid about £350 plus the mandatory "victim surcharge" of about £70 (despite there being no actual victim!)

I did this once too, had just pulled out of a junction and didn't see that there was a set of pedestrian lights right away which were red. I was turning out left and was focusing too much on just looking right. I hadn't been driving long and certainly learned my lesson from it!

I often see people out and about doing it, it is clearly by accident at funny junctions. It happens.

I did this yesterday as I was concentrating on where I was going. I’ve been driving for almost 40 years. I’m hoping I’ve not been flashed. I also went through 2 speed cameras. All yesterday.

In 40 years I’ve never even had a parking ticket. Why yesterday - who knows? Think I was thinking of my dfil as it would have been his birthday yesterday & im sad he’s no longer with us. But no excuse.

I’m ashamed also. I’m so law abiding. I’m waiting for the letters on the mat.

Please don’t be so hard on yourself. You made a mistake and no harm came of it - it’s a horrible sick feeling when it happens isn’t it? Like @soupdragon I once did it with a police car behind me got pulled over, told off and sent on my way.

You’re clearly a very diligent driver who had a one off momentary lapse. Don’t sweat it.

Firstly are you in the UK? I'm asking because you mention losing your licence, that wouldn't happen here, a UK driver would know that.

Unless you live in the middle of nowhere you must see drivers go through red lights all the time, I'm not exaggerating to say I see it every day, unless there's a camera or police in sight nothing will happen.

You made a mistake. Try not and beat yourself up about it.

Where I live drivers drive through them all the time. I wish they were as conscientious as you OP.

If it makes you feel better I turned right last night onto the wrong side of the road because there were no road markings, the sat nav thought it was a roundabout and I was completely lost. Fortunately it was 1am and I went into a retail park so no one about. I'm mortified and hoping there were no cameras. I did a very quick u turn once I'd realised.

Actually it wasnt last night it was this morning!

I did this once years ago - it just made me more cautious- I got away with it as nothing happened and it was a very quiet road - but it made me realise that you need 110 percent concentration driving anywhere! Try not to worry too much.