Traffic lights A316 Twickenham..help

[jameswkr]

Hopefully some of you "locals" will be familiar. I was alarmed yesterday driving home away from the St Margarets roundabout heading out of London. The next roundabout has (temporary) traffic lights. I was the only car approaching. I cannot see any lights at all and assume they are not operational ( its about 1.15 pm ). As I get very close, I suddenly see the top light goes red ( the lenses are covered with diffusers which only let out thin bars pointing downwards ). I retraced my route and can see what appear to be cameras on these lights. On my second approach I still cannot see lights until very close to the roundabout ( i was not going fast on either occasion ). I know that defense against crossing a red light is almost impossible. Anyone know these lights or similar ? Are the cameras operational ? Local press reports ?

I have just "lost" my first 3 points ( 37 in a 30) and can feel the stress of another potential fine...these lights are Bloody dangerous as they are not visible like normal ones.

[s2_southwest]

Yes i've seen those before, i have also seen these "slats" or "lines" fitted on permanent traffic lights as they almost point down another road and would be confusing to traffic on a side road, but it is aso dangerous as you cannot see the lights your self.

I thought that the cameras ontop were to see if there is any traffic waiting and to give some sort of priority as i think permanent lights have infrared sensors to see if cars are waiting.

[dan_b]

I know those lights too, they're awful - the number of times you see people get caught out regularly by those is shocking: it's got to be causing accidents.

I really hate traffic lights on roundabouts in general - if it's a roundabout, why do you need lights on it? They're really confusing too if the sightlines aren't right because often you can see more easily the lights from the crossing lane to your right more easily than those for your straight ahead - the lights on the next Roundabout on the same road are like that - you're stopped at the lights, but the lights you see changing are actually the lights for the traffic to your right - the numbers of times I've seen cars make a start and then have to make a panic stop as basically they're putting themselves broadside in to the oncoming traffic...

I'm not sure those cameras on that roundabout are actually trafic light penalty cameras, I think they're just traffic flow monitors, so I think you'll be ok? However, if they are, there is basically no way to avoid the penalty on those.

[topsparky]

Yes i've seen those before, i have also seen these "slats" or "lines" fitted on permanent traffic lights as they almost point down another road and would be confusing to traffic on a side road, but it is aso dangerous as you cannot see the lights your self.

I thought that the cameras ontop were to see if there is any traffic waiting and to give some sort of priority as i think permanent lights have infrared sensors to see if cars are waiting.

your right they are sensors to detect traffic.on permanent ones they also have an induction loop under the tarmac to detect when a car or van etc is waiting in that area

[AUDI9020V]

I always thought the cam like box on top of the lights were for the 999 services cos if you flash ya lights a few times as u get near to the lights at red then they will change out of all the times ive done this only twice its never worked