Motorists fined in traffic light clampdown (From Croydon Guardian)
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Motorists fined in traffic light clampdown
10:44am Monday 16th February 2009 in Search By Kirsty Whalley
Eleven motorists were fined during the operation that targeted drivers who disobey red lights at tram crossings
Drivers risking their lives by disobeying red light signals at tram crossings in Croydon have been targeted by police.
On Friday nine motorists received on-the-spot £30 fines, two motorists received £60 fines and three points, two cautions were issued for blocking the tramway and one cannabis warning was also issued.
Another driver was reported to court for driving without a licence, driving without insurance and driving through a red light.
British Transport Police and officers from the Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhood Team at Fairfield took part in the operation on Friday 13 following a spate of incidents and many near-misses.
BTP PC Amy Piper, who organised the operation, said there had been 13 incidents already this year in which vehicles had jumped red lights.
She said: “In January, we had numerous incidents, one involved a car that jumped the lights at Oak Rd in Croydon and then collided with the tram.
“The following day at King Henrys Dr, New Addington a van jumped the red lights causing damage to both vehicles. The driver of the van injured his knee in the incident.
“When motorists, pedestrians and cyclists disobey signals, the trams can’t swerve to get out of the way. The lights are red for a reason and that is to indicate that a tram is approaching.
“The aim of this operation is to find those individuals who are breaking the law and to also educate them about the dangers of disobeying signals.”
But PC Piper said it was not just motorists who were running the risk.
“In December a pedestrian crossed the tram tracks at King Henrys Dr. He crossed behind a tram headed to New Addington and stepped into the tram coming the other way. The male was injured and had to airlifted to hospital.
“There has also been incidents of cyclists going across foot crossings and being hit by trams. In one case last September, at Phipps Bridge a cyclist was fatally injured after being struck by a tram.”
