Guide To A TS10 Conviction
TS10 convictions, are on the increase, mostly driven by the increase in the number of cameras mounted on traffic lights. As you are likely aware, these are handed out for not obeying a traffic signal,
Last updated: August 2023 | Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
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Traffic lights are critical to road safety, and safe driving practices are essential to ensure the safety of lives. Any motoring offence caused by careless driving, be it a known one or an undefined failure to comply with a traffic direction, can cause injuries and third-party risks. Therefore, more stringent driving conviction laws are being introduced, especially speed limits.
Traffic lights and direction signs are just as critical. To ensure driver safety, many statutes are introduced in the UK. This includes TS convictions with its system of code offence penalties, fines, and driving disqualification.
A TS Conviction covers any violation of traffic signs, directions or signals. The motoring offences and resulting convictions range from TS10 to TS70. Each one of the conviction codes is briefly described below.
TS10 Conviction Explained
Offence Codes & Statutory Compliance
TS10 - Noncompliance with traffic light signals, i.e. jumping the red light or failing to comply with warning lights.
TS20 - Noncompliance with double white lines, i.e. not observing special road regulations.
TS30 - Bypassing the ‘stop’ sign, putting other road users (even a stationary vehicle), at risk.
TS40 - Violation of direction by a constable or warden
TS50 - Noncompliance with traffic signs other than traffic signals, ’stop’ signs or double white lines
TS60 - Noncompliance with a school crossing patrol sign, i.e. violation of special roads regulations
TS70 - Any violation of a traffic direction sign, even when not clearly defined by a code of law; i.e. any undefined failure to comply with traffic signs.
For this section, our focus will be on TS10 conviction and its implications on car insurance. So let us delve deeper into the said driving conviction code.
What is a TS10 conviction code?
Failing to comply with traffic light signals or direction signs results from dangerous driving habits, leading to a TS10 conviction. Code violation occurs when one out of careless driving habit does not follow the traffic light switching rules, especially jumping the red light.
The conviction applies to anyone passing through the red light, regardless if an accident takes place or not. It further includes traffic directions given by a constable or traffic warden.
With more cameras being installed at traffic signals across the UK, the TS10 conviction is being enforced more than ever. In turn, more drivers in the UK are getting driving convictions for traffic signal violations, dangerous driving and careless driving attitudes.
Most of the time careless or inconsiderate driving behaviour costs drivers with a prior accident offence penalty points on their driving licence and even fines. Consequently, this factor affects the insurance premiums of passenger vehicles or any vehicle uninsured.
What is the code offence penalty for running a Red Light in the UK?
Any violations of safe driving rules are serious driving offences, with severe convictions, code offence penalty points and suspension of driving licence. The simple logic behind the TS10 conviction is that accident offences by careless driving through a traffic signal, especially a Red Light, may result in a collision that leads to injury or even death.
Therefore, every TS10 code offence leads to a £100 fine along with 3 code offence penalty points on the driving licence.
Furthermore, when these code offence penalty points add up to 6 points within two years of receiving the driving licence or exceed 12 penalty points in 3 years may even lead to a TT99 ban on the driver. While these code offence convictions may take up to six months in a court of law, a judge may decide to ban the driver for any stipulated period deemed by the statutory.
How does a TS10 conviction affect my car insurance?
All dangerous driving convictions are part of the public records, and any false declarations can even lead to concealment or insurance fraud. Hence, it is imperative to declare them while insurance policy renewals or when applying for a new one.
The TS-10 conviction seriously dents the vehicle insurance. The insurers usually tilt towards higher premiums for people with a driving conviction, such as failing to comply with traffic signals. Therefore, to counter the risk of voiding an insurance policy, the TS10 conviction must be declared to the insurer.
The TS10 conviction is for 4 years, starting from the date of the offence. Hence, a declaration to insurers in this regard is necessary. This adversely affects the insurance premiums, not necessarily as heavily as some other traffic rule violations. Yet, the 3 points penalty on the driving licence can result in pushing the premiums upwards of 5% on average.
A code offence penalty declaration becomes redundant after five years from the date of the offence, when the conviction has spent the stipulated time frame.
TS10 insurance increased cost
All conviction will increase the cost of vehicle insurance. From reading forum posts and authoritative online sources, it would be fair to say you should expect and an increase of around 10%.
How can I find cheap vehicle insurance after a TS10 conviction code?
Car insurances become will become more expensive once a driver is booked under a TS10 conviction code. There is no set formula to select an insurer that meets everyone’s requirements. Numerous factors dictate the insurance cost for any given individual.
These include any previous code offences or convictions, age of the applicant, area of residence, type of vehicle, driving records, medical grounds, etc.
Numerous speciality insurers can help in getting you insured with lower insurance premiums. These possibilities include a black box insurance policy. A telemetric device from the insurer is fitted to the car, that tracks the driving record of the individual and then sets the insurance premiums per the safety regulations followed by the driver.
Other possibilities include taking an advanced driving licence test, exhibiting your motivation to become a safer driver. The simplest of the options is to get cheap car insurance by lowering the insurance group, which means getting a car with lower engine power.
One important suggestion here is to consult an insurance specialist broker. Not enough motorists know about insurance brokers that specialise in helping convicted drivers. Usually, people with convictions trust big companies with diverse insurance plans. But these insurance brokers can help you find the cheapest deals, which aren't marketed.
Conclusion
Regardless if one is driving on a public road, motorway or through city traffic, and discounting the fact that of stable or dangerous conditions, one must be mindful of safe driving rules. It especially includes passenger vehicle speed limit.
Exceeding the statutory speed limit, ignoring double white lines or school crossing patrol signs, failing to comply with a traffic sign, bypassing pedestrian crossing regulations, using a mobile phone while driving, and such are not just simple road safety code offences.
On one hand, the code offence leads to penalty points on your driving licence, fines, bans and in general a bad driving record; on the other, they leave a long-lasting psychological impact in case of a serious accident. So always drive carefully.