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Traffic Light Cameras Explained
Traffic light cameras are triggered either by using ground loops that are cut into road surface or radar technology. When using loops, as the traffic lights turn red the system becomes active, any vehicle passing over the sensor in the road after this time is then photographed. Radar based traffic light cameras work in the same manner as fixed Gatso speed cameras.
A news story that appeared in the Daily Mail newspaper reported that the Home Office plan to turn over 1,000 traffic light cameras into speed cameras. "More than 1,000 traffic-cameras used to catch drivers jumping red lights are to converted so they can also trap speeders".
The traffic light camera was originally used to measure red light offences. Nowadays the camera can also be used in combination with speed measurement, similar to that of a Gatso speed camera. So you could end with a speeding offence as well as a traffic light offence, if you go through a red light camera!
As well as Gatsometer traffic light cameras there is a new truvelo speed camera that can also operate as a red light speed camera. Click here to read more.
Do you have a question about red light cameras? You can read UK motorist's red light questions and answers and you can also ask your own unanswered question via our online form. Alternatively, read UK drivers traffic light camera comments.
Points and Penalties
The absolute minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a fine of £100. A minimum of 3 penalty points will also be added to your driving licence.
However, depending on the road speed limit and your actual recorded speed in the speeding offence a court summons may be generated in place of the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) through the post with the code SP10, SP20, SP30, SP40 or SP50. Read more about speeding fines.
Also, if it is your first speeding offence you may be invited by letter to undertake a national driver offender retraining scheme course with your local Police force.
Traffic light camera locations
What is your view and experiences with red light cameras in the UK? Tell us and read more traffic light camera comments. Alternatively, if you have a question relating to red light cameras, please see our red light camera Q&A page.
Want to know where the UK's red light cameras are as you drive? Here at SpeedCamerasUK.com we have a UK database of speed camera locations. This database also includes Gatso, SpeedCurb, Truvelo, New Truvelo, SPECS, Peek speed cameras and more. Read more about the speed camera types.
Last updated: 6th August 2024
