Police stopping RLJers this morning...

[Jezston]

And we will be able to offer a more conclusive response?

 

[wiggydiggy]

Don't know if anyone spotted this, but I saw a chap get nabbed after RLJing somewhere* in South West London They seemed to have caught a few, one copper taking details and the other beckoning RLJers over. Not sure whether they were fining them, stern talking to or what but glad to see they do take some action over RLJing! Would be nice to see them nab Boris next...

*Exact location redacted to keep you on your toes!

LOL

Good to see the police being proactive, are they getting fines or just warnings do we know?

 

[fimm]

There was a very interesting thread on another forum I'm on recently - I don't remember the context, but a bunch of people admitted that they drive through red lights when they think it is safe (eg deserted junctions late at night, pedestrian crossings obviously devoid of pedestrians) and no-one pulled anyone up on this - totally different to on here where someone saying something like that would (quite rightly in my view) be challenged for doing something like that on a bike. I thought it was a very interesting reflection on the attitudes of people on that thread. I should have come along and said that I did the same thing on my bike (I don't BTW) just to see what the reaction would have been...

 

[SportMonkey]

There was a very interesting thread on another forum I'm on recently - I don't remember the context, but a bunch of people admitted that they drive through red lights when they think it is safe (eg deserted junctions late at night, pedestrian crossings obviously devoid of pedestrians) and no-one pulled anyone up on this - totally different to on here where someone saying something like that would (quite rightly in my view) be challenged for doing something like that on a bike. I thought it was a very interesting reflection on the attitudes of people on that thread. I should have come along and said that I did the same thing on my bike (I don't BTW) just to see what the reaction would have been...

When driving I'll wait at (usually temporary) traffic lights on red until I think they're broken and nothing is coming. You're allowed to go through a broken red as long as it is safe and you take "great care".

176
You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely or you are taking up a position to turn right. If the traffic lights are not working, treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care.

 

[jefmcg]

Most of the comments seem irrelevant. When police do these blitzes it would be at a busy junction with working lights: they want it to be unambiguous, and they want to have plenty of traffic so they can catch offenders. (OP - please put back the location tomorrow, so we know where/when it was). I believe when police are blizting they also generally apply the full weight of the law, even if they might normally give a warning.

I thought there might have been something going on this morning - saw a couple of cops standing in Leadenhall, and two at the entrance to Canary Wharf. In both cases places where cycle infractions are more common than car infractions. Also , the police officer who usually traps cars here was missing - last time he/she was absent was when they London police were all ready to pounce on the LCC Blackfriars Bridge protesters.

I didn't see anyone being booked, so maybe I am just paranoid.

 

[gaz]

I know where it was as i went past them this morning.
They did pick a junction which a lot of people cycle through the red lights, and i believe they do so because there is no side street to the left and thus cars will not interact with them. It's perceived as being safe to do and rarely are there people crossing at it.
Of course i am not saying it's ok to cycle through red lights. Just stating my observations about the junction they where at.

I suspect that some local residents complained about the amount of cyclists jumping red lights here, as it is quite high.

Also , the police officer who usually traps cars here was missing - last time he/she was absent was when they London police were all ready to pounce on the LCC Blackfriars Bridge protesters.

Pounce on the protesters?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Oh yes. Woops

Although they would probably ask what you thought it was to do with them and suggest you phoned people in Maidstone.

 

[Origamist]

They have these blitzes at various junctions along CS7 every few months or so. I didn't see them this morning, but I left early in order to accumulate more miles for the TFL cycle challenge.

 

[jefmcg]

Pounce on the protesters?

I happened to go across bf bridge during the protest - didn't know about it and didn't join - and there were a lot of police in the junctions near the bridge, and not many elsewhere in town - including that Aldgate box. I assumed they were there to stop or fine any illegal cycling leaving the protest.

Of course, they may have been been there for my safety. Being paranoid is confusing.

 

[BentMikey]

Nice one whitebait, thanks very much!!

 

[summerdays]

Well it's illegal for starters.

It is also means that I have to spend my life listening to the tired manta "all cyclists ignore the rules of the road and jump red lights".

Yes I had that from a pedestrian when I was standing next to my bike today chatting to my friend just because I had a bike beside me... as if I'm responsible for all other cyclists - and no she didn't see me go through a red light - I stopped at the only red light I came across today.

 

[ufkacbln]

I got "done" for jumping a red light by a PCSO...... so nipped into the Police Station that evening with a disc that showed me sitting for six minutes, and three light changes without mine becoming green.

Told the Officer that I had assumed the lights were not working, so had crossed, no more was said.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Well it's illegal for starters.

It is also means that I have to spend my life listening to the tired manta "all cyclists ignore the rules of the road and jump red lights".

Although to be fair, if no cyclist ever jumped a red light you would just have to spend your life listening to the tired mantra "all cyclists ignore the rules of the road and ride on the road when there is a cycle path"

 

[HCFC Clark]

What does RLJing even mean? I literally have no idea...

 

[Wind in my Air]

I ask because the traffic light system in Maidstone is still based upon the historic form of weight sensors under the road and as such, a cyclist is not recognised as waiting traffic. These minature length cycle lanes have cropped up on a few of the culprit traffic light crossings.

Which crossings are you referring to? Some crossings are a bit slow, and I nearly always jump the light going from Mill Street to High Street. They're bloody slow to change and you hardly ever see another vehicle whilst waiting, the only reason they exist is to aid the taxis and busses, of which there aren't many. In fact the silly miniature cycle lane past the lights seems to direct cyclists into Bank Street which is mad because it's pedestrianised, and High Street isn't.