Driving Lessons and Instructor Training South East London Dual Control Car Hire
  • Home
  • Driving Lessons South London
    • Lesson Prices
    • Theory Test
    • Practical Driving Test >
      • Show Me Tell Me
      • Independent Driving
      • Driving Test Centres
      • Cancelled Driving Tests
    • Why Choose Royal
    • Areas Covered >
      • Driving Lessons South East London
      • Greenwich Driving Lessons
  • DRIVING INSTRUCTOR TRAINING LONDON
    • F.A.Q's
    • Course Prices
    • Special Offer £999
    • Part One
    • Part Two
    • Part Three
    • Why choose Royal
    • Driving Instructor Training in S E London
    • Driving Instructor Information
  • Contact
  • About Us
    • Blog
    • Royal Reviews
    • Governing Bodies
  • Cars Sales

Accelerating through an amber light

11/12/2015

16 Comments

 
This blog continues our series on habits picked up after passing your driving test. Should you accelerate through an amber ​light? The short answer is NO! You must STOP if you see a amber or red light at a traffic light, the only exception is if the driver is too close to the lights to stop safely. 
Picture
UK law
​

The law is very strict when it comes to crossing an amber ​or red light. The law states that it is the drivers' obligation to stop at a set of traffic lights unless the light is green. The driver must continue to travel only when they have already crossed the white line or that coming to a stop is likely to cause an accident.

When should I stop?

There is a complicated mathematical method of working out the point of no return in regards to being too close to the traffic lights, however, in time you should be able to decide whether it is safe to go or not.

What to do when approaching any traffic lights
  1. Be aware of your surroundings
  2. Do not exceed the speed limit
  3. Check who is behind you
  4. Check your blind spot. Especially if you are turning

If you do stop, ensure that there isn't someone too close behind you as this will cause an incident. Be aware that not stopping at an amber light is still a punishable offence, although usually penalties are not given, but driving through a red light is given a punishment is given every time. Throughout the last few years, there has been a rise in the number of red light cameras, which means there is an increasingly large risk of being caught.

How long will the amber light stay on for?

As a general rule of thumb, the amber light on any traffic light usually stays on 1 second longer per 10 miles an hour increase in speed.

Running a red or amber light

Going through a red light is very dangerous but travelling through an amber light can be as bad. On fast moving roads the amber light usually turns red just as the other set of traffic light turns green. This means if someone accelerates through an amber light, it is quite possible for the light to turn red and then face oncoming traffic.

I’m invincible

You have an incredibly fast car, you think you will be able to be quick enough to escape any traffic that may be joining your road. Is it worth getting a ticket? In the UK the fine is usually 3 point penalty places on the drivers licence and £100. Although if there is an incident or you fight the amber/red light conviction in court, it may be possible for a greater fine to be established and given to you.

What to do when a light turns amber 

The best idea if you see a green light turning amber ​is to check your mirrors and safely come to a stop behind the white line.

Check our other blogs on driving habits

Accelerating through an amber light

11/12/2015 17/09/2017 Accelerating through an amber light… Should you accelerate through an amber light? The short answer is NO! You must STOP if you see a amber or red light at a traffic light, the only exception is if the driver is too close to the lights to stop safely.
Accelerating through an Amber light
Author: Royal Som
Royal SOM Logo
Royal
Should you accelerate through an amber light? The short answer is NO! You must STOP if you see a amber or red light at a traffic light, the only exception is if the driver is too close to the lights to stop safely. - UK Law - When should I stop? - What to do when approaching any traffic lights - How long will the amber light stay on for? - Running a red of amber light - I’m Invincible - What to do when a light turns amber

16 Comments
Tractor Trailer Training link
31/12/2015 07:14:39 am

hello,
i really like your blog it is really informative

Reply
Waynecbell
28/7/2017 09:01:46 am

Hi I came to a set of traffic lights with a camara on fallowing a large hgv we both got threw on green but he decided to slow right down to about 10 mph reason I don't know maybe he was lost witch in this case I was behind him when them light turned to Red simply if he never slowed down I wouldn't be in this position I'm in now any advice to help me Thankyou

Reply
Wayne
28/7/2017 09:05:55 am

Could you still be fined in this case are do you have to actually go straight through a Red like as I said I went through a green light but got stuck behind a wagon in the middle when the lights turned to Red Thankyou

Reply
Tim link
17/9/2017 01:38:51 pm

Hi Wayne, sorry for the late response, chances are you will be absolutely fine. As you have gone past the white line when the lights were green. However If there is an issue make sure an appeal is lodged explain in detail what happened.

Charlie
9/10/2017 01:59:23 pm

Hi I am hoping you can help me I was driving and the traffic light was amber it felt unsafe for me to stop in time so I continued however there were black box type camera on top of the speed camera what will the outcome of this be? I am very nervous thank you for your help x

Reply
Brian
6/4/2018 11:23:50 am

I went through amber light as I was aproaching in turned amber there was a police car behind me he stopped I thought I was too close to stop ..he caught up to me traveling the same way I was unlucky to get another light going amber with him behind he stopped again I was too close again then he was behind me again then he turned into police station ,,would he have stopped me if I was in the wrong

Reply
Phil
22/12/2020 05:22:25 pm

If they feel you done something wrong they will stop you.

Reply
Marcel
14/8/2018 04:11:22 am

Hi guys,

today I stopped on the lights and I could see 1 flash. I am confused, because I did stop right on the white stop line next to the lights as there was car just behind me and I had to stop safely. In the past I saw 2 flashes. Anyone knows what is the difference and why I could be flashed?

Thanks

Marcel

Reply
Caroline Maguire
21/3/2019 10:30:36 pm

So I was at traffic lights which was green at the time but traffic had moved when I started to move it went to amber before I could stop. I hope I don't get a ticket.

Reply
Vladas
27/4/2019 05:45:03 pm

Hi I am hoping you can help me I was driving and the traffic light was grean and sudenly amber it felt unsafe for me to stop in time so I continued however there were black box type camera on top of the speed camera what will the outcome of this be? I am very nervous thank you for your help

Reply
David
15/8/2019 10:51:55 am

Hi I was driving today and got up to the lights and they was on amber how ever there was a car that was quite close behind me and I felt that it was unsafe to stop will I receive points or a ticket for this?

Reply
Margaret
25/11/2019 09:20:32 pm

If Someone passes on amber light and police was behind them but never stopped them... is it still possible to get a fine and points?

Reply
stefan
1/2/2020 07:28:05 am

Hi when I approach the traffic light it was green on a 30 mph road when I got to the traffic light it turn yellow and I codant stop in time and I passed through and I noticet that the traffic camera tooch a picture will I get fine for this

Reply
Ryan
6/2/2020 04:06:46 pm

I was stopped over the white line, yellow box in front of me. The light changed to amber as soon as I pulled off as I could see my car would fit on other side of yellow box, although there was cameras on the light?

Reply
Priyashinee Gooljar
11/7/2020 10:54:30 pm

Hello,

Today, I was waiting at a set of traffic lights which turned green after some time, but whilst I was waiting for a cyclist who was behind me to pass before I moved, the lights changed to amber, and because it wasnt red I thought it would be safe to drive on. Can I get fined or prosecuted for this?

Reply
JJ
30/7/2020 08:51:05 pm

Hi, good blog. I recently passed through an amber light and I think I seen the lazer scan my car. Will I get a fine for this ? I was driving within the speed limit but was too close to the white line and braking would have been harsh however nobody was behind me. If the camera flashes, is it inevitable to get a fine or will they show some leeway and let me off because it was amber ?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    DRIVING BLOG

    Tim Royal

    All of our blogs are constructed by a very experienced driver that wants to share his wealth of knowledge to assist you. 


      Sign up to our Newsletter

    Submit
    Advert
    ​

    Categories

    All
    Funny Posts
    How To Guides
    Recent Updates
    Useful Information


- Home
- Contact
- Areas we cover
- Jobs
​- Cars for Sale
- Site Map
- Governing Bodies
- Blog
All copy rights reserved Royal School of Motoring 2020
  • Home
  • Driving Lessons South London
    • Lesson Prices
    • Theory Test
    • Practical Driving Test >
      • Show Me Tell Me
      • Independent Driving
      • Driving Test Centres
      • Cancelled Driving Tests
    • Why Choose Royal
    • Areas Covered >
      • Driving Lessons South East London
      • Greenwich Driving Lessons
  • DRIVING INSTRUCTOR TRAINING LONDON
    • F.A.Q's
    • Course Prices
    • Special Offer £999
    • Part One
    • Part Two
    • Part Three
    • Why choose Royal
    • Driving Instructor Training in S E London
    • Driving Instructor Information
  • Contact
  • About Us
    • Blog
    • Royal Reviews
    • Governing Bodies
  • Cars Sales