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•   I have received a Police infringement notice for failing to stop at a yellow traffic light. The lights are controlling a left hand turn into merging traffic on my right hand. I was approximately 20/25 metres from the lights when they changed from green to yellow. The yellow lights operate on a 4 second cycle before switching to red. The speed limit for the road I was on is 60kph including the road I was merging with. I note the Road Code states “A yellow signal means stop, unless you are so close to the intersection that you can't stop safely. A yellow signal indicates that the lights will soon turn red.” I believe I was too close to the lights to stop safely. Ref www.drivingtests.co.nz/resources/how-to-calculate-braking-distances. and driversedguru.com/what-to- do-when-the-lights-turn-yellow. With the fact that I was also entering a moderate left hand turn at a speed of approx 50/55kph I believe I could have potentially struggled to control the car. Therefore I belive I have every reason to defend this charge. Your advice would be welcomed and would you assist with my defence?

Hi there,
From past experience, these kind of infringements are very difficult to dispute in writing and often end up with an invitation to a court hearing. This is where you would need to present your reasoning for passing through a yellow light, vs the officers interpretation. The AA does not provide defence assistance in these cases, and historically other members (giving feedback) have not been successful in disputing similar infringements.

Fair enough but I will certainly defend the matter in Court.