We came up to some dodgy junctions. My mates were telling me to go straight whereas the sat nav was saying right. Up ahead there were traffic lights and I noticed they just turned amber, so I sped up a little from 20 mph (still within the 30 mph limit). I ended up following the sat nav as I had to make a quick decision. Unfortunately my mate informed me that I had run the red light.
Got a letter in a week later saying what I had done etc etc and to fill out my details. Second letter said they had video evidence and they want to charge me £60 and put 3 points on my licence and I can't argue against it. It is total and utter s**t.
Now I am not denying the fact I just ran the light (turned out it was only 1.3 seconds) and I'm aware of the concequences (if this was a busy road then someone may get knocked down and seriously injured) but I think it is totally unjustified. A £30 fine tops would be more appropriate. I have never ran a red light in my life and never will (this definately wasn't intentional). Fair enough I was distracted by the sat nav and my mates, but then show me a driver who has never been distracted in their lives for 5 seconds when driving? The incident happened at 11.40pm, in a quiet area with no one going around. The fact they could of saw my address and realised I didn't even live near Edinburgh could of made the fine lower. It was a total one off fluke incident and the level of punishment is unjustified imo. Even if there were people around, in most cases, 30mph or under isn't enough to be fatal. If it were 40mph then yes maybe.
Yet 2 weeks ago, in Aberdeen, we are sitting at a red light in my mates car which has been red for 5 seconds. A car comes up behind then pulls round to the right of us, runs the light, then goes through the next red light up ahead. And this is Market Street in early evening in Aberdeen, where there is 100x more potential of someone being injured. Yet he will get away with it. Really boils my p***!
And to fine me at this time of year. Bah f*****g humbug!
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