Appeal against traffic signal conviction.

Mrs. M was an elderly lady who was driving her Micra along the high street in a Lancashire town. As she passed through a pedestrian crossing at about 20mph the lights turned to amber. She decided it would be inappropriate to stop since the signals changed too late for her to stop in time, so she proceeded through as most people would.

To her left was a side road where a younger lady was waiting to turn right. The lady crossed into the path of Mrs. M and a collision occurred. The younger lady was quite irate and blamed Mrs. M for the collision. She became quite vocal.

Two off-duty Police officers were window-shopping nearby and intervened. Mrs. M would not accept they were in fact Police officers since they did not carry any identification with them. On the evidence of the younger lady and the Police officers she was convicted of failing to obey a traffic signal. Upon the advice of her solicitor she appealed.

FEA Engineering Consultants prepared a report dealing with the scene layout, the traffic light sequence and the lines of sight of both the younger lady and the Police officers. Specific timings were made of the traffic signal operation and references were made to the appropriate standards.

The matter went to appeal in Crown Court where the young lady and Police officers had to give evidence. The expert from FEA Engineering Consultants also gave evidence, as did Mrs. M who stood by her account 100%.

The appeal judge acquitted Mrs. M who was to say the least relieved. The accounts given by the witnesses for the prosecution were found to be incredible. The judge thanked the expert for his well-presented report that assisted the Court in its duty.