Issue Red Light Camera - Advice Needed

Lvinayagar on 21/09/2016 - 15:25
Last edited 21/09/2016 - 15:43 by 1 other user

Got a mail today asking to pay the fine to RTA for not stopping at the RED light signal.

Scenario

1. It is a 2 lane road and I was supposed to turn left.
2. But I'm the 1st car on the right most lane.
3. The signal was 'RED' for the cars to go straight and it was 'GREEN' to turn left.
4. Since I was on the right most lane, I turned on the left indicator, did a head check and moved my car towards left.
5. BAM! The RED camera flashed twice.

Question

1. Is it illegal to turn left from the right lane even after following all the regular procedures?
2. Are the cameras faulty?
3. Can I give my explanation to RTA?
4. Anyone experienced this before?

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        NancyCat on 25/09/2016 - 16:25

        @usmanyousaf:

        To get red light infringement notice, there must be an evidence that you CROSSED the intersection while the lights red.

        I'm not sure where you got this information from, but the Road Safety Road Rules 2009 - Reg 59 clearly states 'If traffic lights at an intersection or marked foot crossing are showing a red traffic light, a driver must not enter the intersection or marked foot crossing.' It doesn't say cross the intersection, or turn at the intersection.

        The two photos are to prove the car entered the intersection after the light turned red, and that's exactly what OP did.

        A red-light camera will only activate after the traffic signal turns red. A red-light camera takes two photos to verify that an infringement has taken place:
        • The first photo is taken when a vehicle crosses the stop line and enters the detector loop area (located between the stop line and pedestrian crossing line) after the lights change to red; and
        • The second photo is taken when the vehicle continues through the intersection against the red light by exiting the detector loop area.
        (Source: RACV)

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  Donaldhump on 23/09/2016 - 17:36

  unlucky, but guess u did run a red light…
  just pay it and forget about it

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  Mysterious Laptop on 23/09/2016 - 18:48

  I've done the one where I'm at a traffic light (late at night no cars), I was in the lane turning right, but then it turned green to go straight. I went straight from the right turn lane and the camera clearly flashed. I was waiting anxiously for a fine and I was going to contest it, but it never came. Learnt my lesson hahaha.

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  aoujay51 on 24/09/2016 - 00:54

  I have missed turns many times in unfamiliar cities.
  If you miss a left wrong, I am sure you will have the opportunity to turn left at next lane/intersection.
  Missing turns is frustrating, paying heavy fines for silly mistakes is another level altogether. Just saying.

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  Shopaholicdesi on 24/09/2016 - 21:37

  In your case it is not legal to change lanes that were divided with continues line marking which we usually see at the signals.

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  usmanyousaf on 24/09/2016 - 21:42

  -1

  I am in Victoria so I can answer about here.

  Is it illegal to turn left from the right lane even after following all the regular procedures?

  This is not ideal situation. However, I have seen multiple times people doing this. In fact, witnessed a car did when there was VIC POL car was behind 2 cars.

  Are the cameras faulty?

  I don't think so.

  Can I give my explanation to RTA?

  I think no. instead ask for proof

  Anyone experienced this before?

  It happened with me. I was in left lane which was dedicated one. I had to go straight. The left signal stayed red while straight signal went green. Since I was in left lane. I waited until right lane got clear & then drove straight instead turning left. There was a camera & it flashed twice. However, I didn't get any ticket.

  If you turn left from light lane when the left signal is green. You actually did not went through the red light. Because the light for left was green. The illegal thing you did is turning left from right lane. RTA can not issue you a ticket for red light. Instead they can fine you for switching lane.
  If I would be in your situation, I will seek for proof from RTA & later challenge the matter in court.

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  Mojorisin2016 on 25/09/2016 - 00:20

  If you notice the lines near the light,/signal you'll find they are solid I.e. Not broken. They will probably penalise you for changing lanes where you shouldn't have.

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  MATTDAMON on 25/09/2016 - 00:46

  +1

  No such thing as the RTA anymore, its called the RMS or roads and maritime services, please use the correct acronyms.

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    Baysew on 02/10/2016 - 18:06

    -1

    PUTCA

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  whatthecrappin on 25/09/2016 - 09:31

  +1

  I had something similiar. I was in the right turn lane (red arrow) with a green light for straight. I changed my mind to go straight and the flash went off. I never did get a fine though

  Nothing to lose pleading your case.

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  venu on 25/09/2016 - 20:16

  Happened to me as well, I never got a ticket, but lesson learned.
  Ask for an internal review of the fine, and write that you made a mistake and did a wrong manoeuvre but you did not proceed through the intersection. Then pay the fine if it doesn't go your way, and move on.

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  grasstown on 03/10/2016 - 18:01

  I love when you pull up to a red light and the right lane is empty and some shit is sitting in the left lane with their right indicator on, with a green left turn arrow or a turn left any time after stopping sign.

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