Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi all,

I’ve received a Notice of Intended Prosecution from the Met Police for allegedly failing to comply with a red traffic light.

Details:

Offence: Fail to comply with red/green arrow/lane closure light signals (automatic equipment)

Recorded time into red: 1 second

Time: 21:18

Date: 17/06/2025

Location: A501 Euston Rd j/w Eversholt St E/B NW1 (2028)

NIP Issue Date: 28/07/2025


This was a rental car (Hertz), who are the registered keeper. They have informed the Met that I was the driver.

I have requested information from Hertz multiple times about when they received the original NIP and when they replied, but they did not respond until I made a GDPR request. I’m still waiting for them to release that data.

Given that it was only 1 second into red, and considering the possible timing issues with Hertz and the police, I’d appreciate advice on whether there’s any angle to challenge this, or if it’s best just to accept and take the course if offered.

Please see relevant images below:
https://ibb.co/N6jnhmYD
https://ibb.co/0RzKTY8t
https://ibb.co/r225H2b9
https://ibb.co/ymSYvNQT
https://ibb.co/3mXtscNk
https://ibb.co/fZwZP5r
https://ibb.co/RLV2c0w

Thanks.

Are you sure that Hertz are the RK?

Why do you believe there are timing issues with the NIP?

Have you responded yet to the request for driver's details? Whatever issues you have with the timing of the first NIP, or the offence itself, you must respond by next Monday (which is a Bank Holiday).

I can only assume they are the RK as that's who I've hired the car from.

It took me a while to get the NIP and I'm looking for grounds to appeal.

That is a very dangerous assumption. It's possible that the NIP you have is the 3rd or 4th in chain.

- First NIP to Finance company, they then name
- Hertz Corp, they then name
- The Hertz office that has the vehicle, they name
- The person who rented the vehicle at the time.

There is no appeal process with a NIP, you would have to take it to court if you claim the NIP was late. If you are found guilty the financial penalty will be many times larger than the fixed penalty you would have had a chance to accept.

Based on the non-evidence you have, I don't fancy your chances, so as Dirty Harry said, do you feel lucky, punk?