Running a red light might feel like a split-second decision, but new data shows just how many UK drivers are getting caught out.
According to the DVLA and Churchill Motor Insurance, nearly 20,000 drivers were hit with penalty points last year alone for ignoring traffic lights. In total, an estimated 6.9 million motorists have been caught at some point in their driving life.
And it’s not slowing down. Camera-detected offences have almost doubled since 2021, with London topping the list. Greater London makes up a fifth of all convictions in 2024, thanks to TfL’s 248 red light cameras across the capital.
These cameras don’t mess around. Sensors detect when you’ve crossed the line after the light goes red, and once that happens, you are logged, fined, and handed penalty points.
But here’s the twist. Drivers are actually more likely to be reported by other road users than by cameras. With dash cams everywhere, and over 24,000 clips sent to police in just the first half of 2024, the chances of being caught are higher than ever.
Churchill’s survey of 2,000 drivers revealed some eye-opening stats:
- Two in five admit they don’t follow the Highway Code when approaching amber lights
- A quarter admit they deliberately drive through amber
- Fifteen per cent keep going at the same speed, while eleven per cent hit the accelerator to make it through
- Only twelve per cent say they always stop, even if it means braking hard, which can be risky itself
So why do people chance it?
- Thirty-seven per cent think amber is just a “warning” rather than a signal to stop
- Thirty-five per cent are worried the car behind will rear-end them if they hit the brakes
- Twenty-three per cent speed through because they’re late
- Thirty-nine per cent admit it’s because they simply hate waiting at the lights
And while most drivers feel guilty or anxious afterwards, a surprising six per cent say they feel happy and another six per cent even get a rush out of it.
Are red light cameras everywhere?
Not really. Despite what it feels like, fewer than 1.5 per cent of UK traffic lights actually have red light cameras watching them. Scotland has just five in total. Even in London, fewer than 4 per cent of lights are monitored.
That’s why dash cams are fast becoming the real threat. You might not see a camera, but another driver could easily be recording you.
Red light running might seem harmless if no one is around, but it’s still illegal, dangerous, and increasingly likely to land you with points and a fine.
As Churchill’s Nicholas Mantel puts it: “Every driver can relate to the split-second dilemma faced when a green light turns to amber; sometimes it is not entirely clear whether to step on the brake or keep going.
"However, running a red light is not only dangerous, but also illegal. Traffic lights play a vital role in coordinating vehicle flows, preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all road users."
