Crossed Red Light, Licence Suspended

Today I crossed the Red Light at a roundabout in Bella Vista (near new McDonalds), which resulted in the suspension of my Driving Licence. I was on P1 with existing 2 Demerit Points from an earlier parking offence in a school-zone. This new offence today added another 3, crossing the limit of 4 for P1. I was at the fault and I am realising that life is going to be tough without a car for next 3 months.

Comments

    • +1

      How are you going to get to work?

      Like everyone else who can't/chooses not to drive: public transport/Uber/taxi/carpool/anything that doesn't require driving

      • +1

        Yeah, it's going to be tough in mornings and over weekends. Dropping kids to different schools, then walking over another 1.5 km to get to nearest bus stop to get to station from where I would take another bus to work now. Tough weekends because going anywhere would become challenge since it would require more time now.

        But I could have thought so before crossing the signal. I have put my family also in difficult times.

        • +10

          Why does everyone drop their kids to school now? When I was 7 I started getting the bus to school, half an hour away.

          • +1

            @Geoff-bargain: Ironically, because of people like OP? Maybe parents care about the safety of their child.

            Also it's illegal. It's an offence to leave a child unattended, which includes letting them catch the bus by themselves. This law depends on the prosecutor's interpretation of "unreasonable duration/time" and the surrounding circumstances.

            I don't know about you. I'd rather not gamble with getting fined or sent to jail.

          • @Geoff-bargain: I agree, this is partly why there is so much more traffic as well as kids expecting to be driven everywhere. I also used to catch public transport to school and used to go in a group with older and younger kids.

          • @Geoff-bargain: Kids these are missing out on fun social experiments..

            • +1

              @hysterical007: Bad timing now with what happened on forest road, Hurstville…

          • @Geoff-bargain: It hasn't been safe since 2010

            Antoine Dodson:

            "They rapin' errbody out here"

  • +6

    Go through today's obituaries in the paper and decide who you want to be known as from now on your replacement drivers licence

    • I hope people here realize this is a joke and don't actually attempt something this daft. Great way to end up in serious legal trouble.

  • Welcome to OzVroomVroom, OP.

    Take care on the road with your bicycle this time!

  • +3

    Nice blog post

  • Sounds like Public Transport, Bike riding, walking and Uber in your future. Use it as a time to get fit. At least you are owning it was your fault.

  • Be more vigilant. It’s all part of the learning process.

    • Absolutely!

  • +7

    I fail to see the bargain in this…

    • +1

      i think the OP is after a deal on a bike/helmet and or runners

      • +1

        Then s/he should look no further than Aldi next week!

    • Free 12 week exercise schedule…

    • this site has a forum section that you're viewing.

  • +2

    Traffic lights at roundabout are evil. Were you familiar with the intersection? I've run a few red lights both here and in Europe trying to navigate weird and wonderful intersections and so far without an issue. The problem here is that you in Straya and that requires that you automatically get fined for anything and everything regardless, because that is what we do in this country.

    • I was aware of this, since have been driving through this route for almost an year. I was unmindful in this particular instance.

    • When there's a cop car right behind you, yeah.

    • +4

      I was nearly run down by some (profanity) in a van at a set of lights at the exit of a roundabout.

      They were accelerating upon exiting the roundabout and totally ignored the red light for the pedestrian crossing. Didn't even attempt to slow down despite me being halfway across the road.

      I certainly would have been seriously injured or killed if I was hit at the speed this guy was doing. Fully support the cops pulling people up for it.

  • -1

    You ran a red light!! Enjoy your extra 6 months on your P's…

    "Any period that your P2 licence is suspended is not counted towards your full licence. P2 drivers who receive a suspension for unsafe driving behaviour must stay on their P2 licence for an extra 6 months for every suspension period, before you can apply for a full licence."

    https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/licence/driver/p2.html

  • License Suspended

    Two fines in not very long. Hopefully you'll use the 3 months off to refresh yourself on the road rules.

    But basically nothing we can do, so live and LEARN.

  • +7

    I am realising that life is going to be tough without a car for next 3 months.

    Hopefully you also realise your driving can affect/kill others and not just affect your own lifestyle.

    • Of course mate, I realise that too! I am not talking about my lifestyle at all.

  • take it grace that you didn't injure anyone because you'll be in a whole lot of trouble.

  • +1

    OP"s post was a statement of fact not a question. As such why are so many people debating it?

  • -1

    suffer in your jocks and Put on Your Big Girl Panties

  • +2

    OzSympathy.com.au

  • Welcome to the forum

  • P platers what do you expect? They never learn until they felt the hurt. Learning process I guess.

  • +1

    Since we are just here sharing our recent experiences, I'll raise an actual question.

    Anyone keen for the 19 year old Ardbeg scotch being released at the moment? Anyone tried it. Can't wait myself.

    My licence also needs to be renewed by mid November. How is everyone else doing?

    • Anyone keen for the 19 year old Ardbeg scotch

      Extremely. Not cheap but not insanely expensive either. I'll be buying it.

      • just drink it once you get home, not during.

        if they end up banning soft drinks in the near future, how would that effect scotch and coke drinkers?

      • +1

        I see $300 as the release price. I'd be really happy with a 10-20% off nicks or eBay. Otherwise boozle with a friend's address (as I hear they are savvy to the new email trick now).

        In the end $300 for the first (new/affordable) Ardbeg over 10 years old released in what, 30 years? Small price to pay.

  • Don't worry, I used to live well without car for 3 years and used public transport only.

    • Thanks! I would be on this path now.

  • Hahahaha

  • +1

    Did you only join OzB to post this so you can get a roasting from all the comments and that will purge your sins?
    Consider yourself roasted and pay more attention next time!

  • It's usually good to go through these sort of lessons early. You will definitely pay more attention from now on

  • Does your suspension start straight away or do you have to wait for them to notify you? If so perhaps you can hand your licence in now and start the suspended period sooner to get it over and done with sooner? I am not sure how it works, just a thought

    • I had been told by the Police Officer who caught me that I would get a letter in 3 days. That’s when my suspension would start. I haven’t received the letter yet.

  • +1

    and?

  • In QLD if you are a bludger and can't pay the fine they will have social work that pays $30 per hour conditional of course that you can only apply if you have not saved anything. Even Alcohol driving inhibitors get paid for the low-lifes creating a massive hole in the middle class!

  • -1

    I think the OP's trolling skills are worse than their driving skills.

  • -1

    As a graduate from the school of hard knocks law division, I recommend you contest the charge.

  • Never heard of losing demerits for a parking infringement. What state is that in?

    • +1

      NSW. We have laws written by Nazis.

      • Oh I'm in NSW haha. Good to know!

  • Do you work at Resmed?

  • That's nice dear

  • Ok.

  • +2

    I'll try and keep it positive. OP, you're gonna get people being a dick about it - I wouldn't worry about them. Half of them have no achievements in life other than never having gotten a fine so let them pat themselves on the back. The other half have done what you've done, just lucky enough to not get caught.

    Take it as a lesson my friend, every time you get in a car when you've gotten your license back, you'll remember to pay attention and that what you do can have consequences. Be glad that the price you paid is just a few months catching public transport and hitching rides as opposed to losing your leg or, god forbid, even your life. We all make mistakes, the best learn from theirs, the worst carry on doing the same thing.

    • Although I am not worthy of kind words, but thanks so much mate! I am talking it positively!

    1. Elect to have it heard in court and plead guilty. The election should postpone the suspension but check to make sure
    2. Dress up in suit go to court.. Represent yourself. Don't panic and turn your phone off before you walk into court.
    3. Tell Magistrate both incidences. Ask for leniency as you never asked it for the first offence. Confess you did the wrong thing on both occasions and ask for 1 point to be removed so you have 0 points
    4. Depending on the magistrate you may be lucky, I would give you at least a 60% chance of retaining your licence
    • it worth a try not big deal.

    • Thank you for advising! I have decided that I wouldn’t challenge it.

  • I like chicken.

  • Enjoy walking. it only 3 months

  • OP, that signal is a weird one. Round about has signal at two entries. The red signal is way before round about entry. So you can actually pass the signal and approach roundabout and signal can turn red while you give away to any cars in the roundabout. Wonder if this has confused OP.

  • Are you feeling proud?

  • Hey OP, sorry to hear that. Looking at your response, you sound like a genuine person who is happily taking everyone's feedback. Hopefully you have learnt your lesson (hard way I know) and will be more responsible driver from here on. Good luck and drive safely (once you get your licence).

  • So why did you cross a red anyways? Were you too lazy to wait?

  • crossed the Red Light

    Good that you have the right attitude of admitting it. I was going to say, if it was by camera, and rear only just crossed the line as Amber turned to red, it's still the same as driving straight through intersection it when it's been red for a while .
    Well, I thought the judge might be lenient when i went to court because the camera shows it only changed at fraction of a second as my rear wheel went over the sensor. But he was right, I still committed the offense and it is potentially quite dangerous, even though it is clearly much more dangerous to commit the same offense if you just drove straight through a red like deliberate.
    The magistrate when I took it to court was repeatedly emphasizing to those at traffic court, about the deaths that result from, speeding for instance, it that's what they were there for.
    So anyway, every person that day seemed to get 3 month suspension downgraded to 1 month . No matter what story, what job they had to get to, what ill or elderly family member they had to drive around etc. The magistrate wasn't having any of it, except 1 or 2 people about 50 or 60yo, with like perfect driving records for last 20 years, they were let off all together.
    Apparently some magistrates do 3 weeks suspension, instead of the month .
    The ones the magistrate really got into was the drunk and drugged drivers, so you are kind of the lesser of his concerns for the day .
    Just be really respectful and sincere with magistrate . He kind of quizzes you, so will call you on any BS straight away, and even if you have a reasonable response/defence to what he says (or she) , then in this instance it doesn't matter, well it didn't the day I sat through traffic court.
    Might be lucky with a sympathetic magistrate, but I'm pretty sure they have to follow suit of what is standard for these cases previously. I.e. if 1 magistrate turned all the 3 month suspensions to 1 week, whereas all the rest do 1 month or so, his judgement could be reasonably challenged and appalled I think (not a lawyer) .
    Edit: and of the people there for more serious traffic offenses, they came with some certification of completing a course to encourage them safer. I'm not sure what it is called, ask legal aid if you should do that just to sweeten things for the magistrate. I think it was mostly for high range speeding they had to do some course,

    I know how you feel, I was in almost exact same situation not long back. And it really sucks that an offense on P's can result in a much higher punishment .
    5km over offense marked as I think 3 or 4 points .
    Then the rear tyre over as the lights changed red got me loss of licence.

    So I barely went over red light, and went 5km over … But I got 1 month, Same as these people who have done much worse, people speeding wayyy over the limit . Sucks, but I haven't lost my licence since. So I guess I learnt from going from freedom of car, to having to walk round for a month.

  • Scraping the bottom at Ozb if this post made it to the first page. What's next? I dropped my kids at school the oher day.

  • Breaks traffic law a few times, loses licence
    Goes on Ozbargain Forums for answers

    • Not even sure if he's looking for answers. OP sounds like a statement of facts. May be just looking for sympathy, in which case they're on the wrong forum.

      • +2

        Thanks mate, I am not looking for any sympathy! What I did was wrong and I just thought of sharing with fellow ozbargainers because I wasn’t feeling good on what I did.

  • Thanks for sharing this as a cautionary tale. It could help someone reading this to become more mindful and avoid the same pitfall.

  • +2

    OP is posting saying he's at fault and not asking for legal advice, this is new….

  • Driving suspension does not actually make sense. No driving means less practice, which could make your driving skills rustier..

    • Driving suspension does not actually make sense.

      Driving is a privilege, not a right. Break the road rules often enough like the OP, get suspended from legally driving. Makes sense to me.

      Not that it stops people from driving illegally, unfortunately

      The OP seems to have learnt their lesson and I'm sure will be more diligent in the future when they're back at the wheel after their suspension is lifted.

  • +1

    Psb thanks for posting your 'lesson learnt'…a lot of people now know what can happen to their licence for a couple of inattentive moments while driving on P1…good luck with your future, you may be pleasantly surprised how many friends may be able to help with getting around.

  • +1

    If you really think you can drive perfectly for the next 12 months then:

    • Elect to go to court
    • Plead guilty to the registrar
    • When you present your case, say clearly and succintly that you need your car for work/school whatever
      • You understand it was your mistake and take full responsiblity
      • However, you are seeking leniency based on the fact that this would very severly affect your career/schooling
      • It is out of character and that you will not do this again
    • What you want to receive is a CRO (Conditional Release Order) which basically means that you are guilty, but don't get the associated demerits or fines with the caveat that if you commit another offence with the next X months the penalty will be very bad indeed.
      • CRO's replaced the previously well known "Section 10" and the corresponding "Good Behaviour Bond" of the Crimes Act.
    • +1

      Harder to argue out of character with the previous parking in a school zone incident.

      • Not neccesarily because it's a different type of offence. Magistrates differentiate between types of offences, unless you simply have too many "traffic" offences in general.

    • @fatal: Very nicely explained!

  • Lol I feel as if we are being played. But if it’s true kudos for your honesty and acceptance.

    • No gimmicks here from me, mate!

  • Is that your regular route OP?

    If so,
    Did you ever notice the lights before?
    Have you ever stopped at the lights before?

    • @Eeples: Yes, it has been my regular route from the last one year. The lights have been there all these times and I have been stopping on red lights before.

  • Not sure if it applies to your state, but in QLD if you go over the dermit limit there is an option to opt for a good behaviour bond for 12 months (from what i recall no night time driving, no passengers other than family etc) not sure if this is still a thing, but it was back in 2014 when i was on P1 and lost 4 dermits points.

  • I go thru this set of lights every morning as its on my way to work. I give you sympathy OP, mainly because the congestion and confusion at these lights is another product of RMS/government ignorance. It's a terrible spot to put a roundabout in the first place, let alone add 2 lanes and traffic signals in the middle of them. The traffic has only been worse since they introduced this.

    For what it's worth they just opened 2 train stations in Bella Vista, including the Metro. It's really good and can serve as an alternative if you work nearby.

    For future learning, every experienced driver runs a red light occasionally, as well as driving slightly over the speed limit. This doesn't make you a bad driver. Doing it while not checking behind you for cops does though :P

    • Hey @SlavOz: Thanks so much for your kind message! I would definitely try to be a better driver once I get my license back in 3 months time.

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