Police in Richmond crack down on red light jumping cyclists - and drivers

Police in Richmond-upon-Thames have announced a crackdown on motorists and cyclists who break the law by ignoring red traffic lights.

Drivers flouting the rules face a fine of £100 and having their licence endorsed with three penalty points, while those on bikes doing so will be fined £50, reports Yourlocalguardian.co.uk.

Chief Superintendent Colin Kennedy said police would take a zero-tolerance approach to those driving or riding through red lights.

"We are not anti-cycling or anti-motorist,” he explained. “However, safety must always come first.

"Officers will have discretion in assessing pavement cycling but there will be zero tolerance of anyone, including motorists, who chooses to ignore a red light.

“An offence will result in a £100 fine and three points on a driving licence or a £50 fine for cyclists," he added.

Some newspaper columnists are fond of portraying all cyclists as Lycra-clad law-breakers who never stop at a red light.

But as Twitter user @beztweets points out, in a consultation into proposed works at Oval junction in South London published this month by Transport for London says: r“esearch has shown that more motorists pass through red lights compared to cyclists.”