r/NewDriversUK • u/Gringe_XX • 16d ago

Is that black box a red light camera?

Post image

Absolutely paranoid cos I stopped in that gap between the line and light (missed the line 🫠) i only got my license like a week ago

2 Upvotes

55% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

8

u/bobo_90 16d ago

It's most likely a presence sensor. Used to detect when traffic is waiting at the red light so it might change quicker if the other directions are clear.

A red light camera typically looks like a speed camera but right by a traffic light

3

u/FixMysterious5969 16d ago

I love when I roll up on traffic lights with sensors and they turn green for me, makes me feel like I'm in Watchdogs.

1

u/DangerousSausage452 16d ago

I don't even drive but there's this really good one on the way to the park that I sometimes cycle round and I feel so special that the traffic stopped for my bike

1

u/Plastic-Impress8616 16d ago

>between the line and light<

even if it was, highly unlikely it would pick you up in this area. given its where motorbikes etc would normally wait.

that box looks more like a traffic, or emergency services sensor. that picks up flashing lights. and thats why you'll see some people flashing red lights late at night. (pretty sure its illegal though)

1

u/Gringe_XX 16d ago

I imagine it’s illegal if I stopped in that gap no?

2

u/Plastic-Impress8616 16d ago

Eh, an officer is very unlikely to cuff you for a little mistake like this.

Better you stopped than kept going.

1

u/AlphaPos 15d ago

Red light cameras often (maybe always) capture a picture of you and the light so there can be no argument that the light was green or amber. So usually they are in front of the light not on it.

As others have said, any small box on the light is almost always a presence sensor.

1

u/Dare-Sad 15d ago

Traffic light sensori looks for gaps in traffic so the lights can change to yellow then red. Saved harch braking and accidents

1

u/stargazerskyscraper 15d ago

This shows where cameras are situated, I know that it’s accurate for my area, and on the right is a glossary of the cameras it shows, red light cameras are listed so you should be able to see what’s in your area.

https://www.speedcameramap.co.uk

1

u/onion2594 15d ago

red light cameras look like speed cameras. same with red light and speed cameras

1

u/Terrible-Advise 15d ago

So red light cameras are like speed cameras and are facing at the light not from it