Following the success of the Driver Alertness Course and Speed Awareness Course, the Traffic Light Awareness Course allows the Police to divert certain red light offence drivers to education as opposed to the Fixed Penalty System.

A driver who is detected failing to comply with a red traffic signal and who has not previously attended a course within a 3 year period, may be offered a course in Greater Manchester. This course is only offered in Greater Manchester (and Merseyside). Course dates are given well in advance.

The fee payable to the DriveSafe is currently £60.00 in Greater Manchester for the three-and-a-half hour course.

This fee is payable prior to attending. The Course is delivered by specialist Department for Transport Approved Driving Instructors. The Course is a combination of listening to information and group discussion. No driving is involved.

After attending and successfully completing the course,  no further action will be taken for the particular offence. The date of course completion is recorded and held on a database. If the driver/rider is involved in another red light offence falling under the same criteria within 3 years of the originial offence date, a second course will not be offered in lieu of proceedings.

Once a driver/rider has accepted the offer to attend a course, but then fails to attend or successfully complete, the Service Provider is compelled to notify the Police Authority. The case would then be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service and ultimately be dealt with by the Magistrates Court.

The Traffic Light Awareness Course has been put in place to give offenders who pass a red light the opportunity to attend a driver re-education course on the effects and dangers of red light running. The course gives a driver an option of attending a Traffic Light Awareness Course as an alternative to the Fixed Penalty System of a fine and penalty points endorsed on their licence.

Please note the Traffic Light Awareness Course is currently only available Greater Manchester and Merseyside.