What is the law concerning going through an intersection and the light turns red in the middle of it?

Question

Also, what about when a person is turning left, they are in the middle of an intersection and the light changes to red before they can turn and they are still in the middle of the intersection? Is this legal? I'm not asking if you will actually be stopped for it, but is it legal? If you could give me a place to reference this information, that would be great!

Thanks!

Here is an example: You are in the left turn lane, when you reach the crosswalk you KNOW that the light is just about to turn red, but you go through anyway. The light turns red just after you enter the intersection. You are still int he intersection when the opposite directions light turns green but they have to wait for you to clear the intersection. Is this legal. I cannot find it anywhere in my states traffic laws (Florida) and am very curious. Thanks again.

Answer 1

In Arizona, here are the laws. I would be surprised if other state law's aren't similar:

If you are already in the intersection, you may proceed even if the light turns red. The intersection is not necessarily defined by the crosswalk, but is defined by the curb line. So, if you extended the curb across the road, that is where the intersection starts. If the light is yellow and any part of your car is past the curb line, then you are in the intersection legally.

As for a left turn, you do not have the right-of-way if the light turns red. Yes, I know that you are out in the intersection, but the through traffic has the right-of-way for one very simple reason - if you turn left, you are crossing their lane of traffic and you don't ever have the right-of-way in Arizona when you cross someone else's path.

Answer 2

that is why there is a yellow light before it turns red. It is not legal to turn left when the light turns red but if you are already in the intersection, just watch out for the other traffic that does have the green light legally. If you have an accident, it will be your fault and be ticketed for going through a red light.

Answer 3

Here you go. In florida, you may proceed cautiously thru and intersection on a GREEN light, but you must yield to any vehicles already LAWFULLY in the intersection at the time of the light changing to green. In other words, the other cars getting a green light must yield to you to finish turning.

You're in the intersection legally as long as the light was still yellow before you entered the intersection.

Answer 4

Why could it bypass your turn? i comprehend of a mild on the city that couldn't go over your turn (on a left hand turn on a divided) till the gentle cycles by ability of with someone crossing previous. despite the indisputable fact that it in no way skips, it only will in no way get to you till someone crosses. i does no longer recommend operating the red, because it nonetheless is operating a red. What you may evaluate doing is determining the position the sensor for the gentle is, and perchance rolling the vehicle decrease back slightly over it to attempt to set off it. despite the indisputable fact that if it truly is an accepted difficulty on a visit you may take regularly at nighttime, I recommend perhaps looking a touch option route that avoids this difficulty. As some lighting fixtures may have unusual cycles at nighttime. it truly is what I did to circumvent the unusual waiting for left turn gentle.

Answer 5

well if you are in the intersection before the light turns red it is your right of way because you have to clear the intersection to allow other motorists to proceed.

Answer 6

if you're going the speed limit, you have until you get to the crosswalk line...if it's red, you went through a red light...yellow means that it's time to clear the intersection

you'll have to reference your state's traffic laws