Drivers risk £5,000 fine over little-known temporary traffic light rule

Yahoo

6 hours ago

Drivers risk breaking the Highway Code and being hit with a staggering £5,000 fine for ignoring "dangerous" headlight rules. Drivers have been warned that some temporary traffic lights operate on sensors rather than timers - but road users are being told not to flash their lights to get them to change green.
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: "Nobody enjoys being stuck at a traffic light waiting for it to turn green - but we suspect many motorists simply aren't aware that their own driving habits could be making the problem worse.
"Many temporary traffic lights use radar sensors that require a vehicle to be close enough to trigger the light change. If a vehicle isn't near enough, the lights will prioritise traffic coming from another direction where they can sense cars - leaving you unnecessarily stuck on red for ages."
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He warned that this can cause traffic to build in one direction, "which can take many rotations of the lights to clear, and potentially cause anger and frustration all around".
"Frustratingly, the same issue can be caused if a driver stops too close to the light itself, beyond the sensor," he added.
Conway said: "The sensors in modern traffic lights don't respond to the light frequencies emitted by headlights - so it's pointless flashing your lights at them in an attempt to speed up the colour change process."
Rule 114 states: "You must not use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders."
Drivers caught misusing headlights can be hit with a £100 fine and points on their driving licence, although more serious cases could see a £5,000 fine and "the threat of a driving ban".
A spokesperson from BigWantsYourCar.com added: "Flashing headlights is commonly used by drivers to signal other motorists, but many are unaware that this practice can land them with a substantial fine.
"A simple headlight check can ensure that you are not unintentionally dazzling other road users or creating dangerous driving conditions. It's vital that headlights are used responsibly, especially in low-visibility conditions, to keep the roads safe for everyone."