At Caddick Davies Solicitors, we are expert Road Traffic Offence Solicitors, specialising in the defence of motorists who are charged with offences of failing to comply with red traffic lights and other signs.

What does it mean if you are accused of a road traffic sign offence?

It is an offence for a motorist to fail to comply with a road traffic sign or road marking which is of a type prescribed by law and is lawfully placed. The types of sign to which this applies includes any sign which indicates a prohibition, restriction or requirement, including:

• Traffic Signals
• Stop Signs
• Give Way
• No Right Turn/Left Turn
• No Entry
• Keep Left
• Box Junction
• Double White Lines

The offence of failing to comply with a red traffic signal or traffic sign attracts a fine of up to £1000 and the endorsement of 3 penalty points.

If you are alleged to have committed this offence you will either be offered a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 and 3 penalty points (it is open to you to decline this) or you will receive a Court Summons or a Single Justice Procedure Notice if the case is referred to the Magistrates’ Court.

If you find yourself with a Fixed Penalty Notice, Summons or Single Justice Procedure Notice for an offence of failing to comply with a red traffic signal or road sign, please contact us for advice and a no obligation consultation on how we can help.

Below you will find helpful information about Red Traffic Light and Road Sign Law, How We Can Help and Answers to Commonly Asked Questions.

What is the penalty for failing to comply with a red traffic signal or sign?

The penalty for failing to comply with a red traffic signal or other mandatory sign is a maximum fine of £1,000 and 3 penalty points.

For less serious cases, you may be offered a Fixed Penalty Notice as an alternative to formal prosecution, which typically imposes a penalty of £100 and endorses 3 penalty points.

In appropriate cases, a driver re-training course may also be offered, which involves the attendance on a 1/2 day course usually costing between £85 and £110.

If you find yourself with a Fixed Penalty Notice or Summons to the Magistrates’ Court for an offence of failing to comply with a red traffic signal or road sign, please contact us for advice and a no obligation consultation on how we can help.

What are the defences to a charge of failing to comply with a road sign or red light?

The offence of failing to comply with a traffic signal or sign is a “strict liability” offence. This means that you commit the offence irrespective of any intention to do so. For instance, if you did not see a sign and contravened it in error, this is no defence.

The main defences which are available to an offence of failing to comply with a traffic signal or sign are:

• I didn’t fail to comply with the traffic signal e.g. I did not go through a red light;
• The sign was not lawful in that it did not comply with the relevant regulations; and
• Duress of circumstance (you acted in fear of injury).

In some cases, even if you do not have a specific defence, it may be possible to argue that the court should not impose penalty points on the grounds of “special reasons” connected with the offence. For instance, if you have crossed the line in an emergency or similar circumstance.

If you find yourself with a Fixed Penalty Notice or Court Summons for this offence and you believe that you may have a defence, please contact us for advice and a no obligation consultation on how we can help.

Driver Re-Training Course for failing to comply with a red traffic signal

For less serious offences, you may be offered the chance to attend a driver education course as an alternative to a Fixed Penalty Notice or court summons.

The courses are often referred to as driver improvement courses and dependent on the police force, include the “driving for change” and “what’s driving us” courses. These courses usually last 1/2 day and cost between £85 and £110.

If the course is completed and the relevant payment is made, then no further action is taken and no penalty points will be endorsed.

Whether or not you are offered the chance to attend a course will depend on the nature of the offence, whether you have completed a course in the past and the policy of the individual police force.

A course should only be accepted if you accept that you have committed the offence and do not wish to challenge it. If you do not accept that you have committed the offence then you may reject the offer of the course and request a hearing before the Magistrates’ Court where you may plead not guilty and contest the case against you.

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How We Can Help You

At Caddick Davies Solicitors, we specialise in the representation of motorists charged with contravening red traffic light signals and other signage offences.

As specialist motoring solicitors we are able to use our expertise and experience to provide the best possible advice and representation to our clients.

If you find yourself with a Fixed Penalty Notice or Summonsed to the Magistrates’ Court for an offence of failing to comply with a red traffic signal or sign, please contact us for advice and a no obligation consultation.

Call for a Free Consultation 0330 175 6852

Commonly Asked Questions About Red Traffic Light and Sign Offences