Rules and penalties for running a red light
Who hasn’t, when facing an amber light, accelerated just enough to avoid having to wait a few minutes before continuing the journey? As you may know, this behavior is not permitted under the Highway Code unless you are already so close to the intersection that braking safely would be impossible or dangerous for yourself and the drivers behind you.
The case of a red light is different: here the law makes no exceptions, and the fine for running a red light is very steep, as it should be for behavior that endangers pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and anyone else on the road. Let’s take a closer look.
Red light fine: how much do you pay if you don’t stop?
The fine for running a red light is precisely regulated by Article 146 of the Highway Code, which states that anyone who fails to comply with the red light signal faces an administrative fine ranging from €167 to €665. In addition to the monetary penalty, 6 points are deducted from the driver’s license.
It is important to note that if the violation occurs between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., the fine increases, ranging from €222 to €883, due to the greater danger posed by the offense in low-visibility conditions.
Red light violation and license suspension
If the driver is still a new license holder (license obtained less than 3 years ago), the consequences are even more severe: the point deduction doubles, meaning 12 points are lost instead of 6. It’s easy to see how, in this case, the risk of having to retake the driving test is very high.
But what happens if the violation is repeated? In that case, the consequences are further aggravated. If caught running a red light again within two years of the first offense, in addition to the fine and point deduction, the driver faces license suspension for a period ranging from 1 to 3 months.
It is crucial to emphasize that the offense is not limited to fully crossing the intersection: it also applies if you pass the stop line even by just a few centimeters when the light is already red. To verify the violation, specific cameras are often used, the so-called Photored systems, which take two photos in sequence: one when the vehicle crosses the stop line at a red light and a second one, after entering the intersection, to confirm the violation.
Appealing a red-light fine is possible, but mainly for reasons related to formal errors in the report (for example, if it was delivered more than 90 days after the date of the violation) or issues with the detection equipment, such as if the device was not compliant.
Save this article among your favorites so you always have it handy, and share it with family and friends!
