What is running the red light?

Question

Is it crossing the line after the light turns red or being in the middle of the intersection when the light turns red?

Florida here...

FYI, I didn't get a ticket and have never gotten one. I'm just curious about this...

Answer 1

Depends on the state. Where I grew up, it's being in the intersection when the light turns red.

Yellow means slow down, not keep going or speed up.

Answer 2

You sure received alot of answers. I'd like to add some clarity. A driver is required to stop the vehicle when the light changes to red 'before' the car crosses over the limit line. The limit line is the white line marked at the intersection or the crosswalk line. Or if there is no line at all, then it's figured as an imaginary 'prolongation' of the curb from one side of the road to the other. Hard to describe in print like this.

If your car passes over the limit line and then the light changes to red, you are legally occupying the intersection and all other traffic must still yield to you. But as a practical matter, cutting it that close can be dangerous. But that's the basic law of red lights among the states.

It is not an arbitrary decision for an officer to make. You are either on one side of the limit line when the light changes or the other. That's the distinction.

Answer 3

There are a few WIDE intersections in San Antonio, and those are the only places that occasionally pose a problem for me. It can be green going into the intersection, then go yellow while I'm in the middle, and if the traffic gets backed up (say, someone way up ahead decides to turn left and has to wait) it may even turn red before I get through. This usually causes a "mini-panic" in me.

In fact, I usually slow down a little when I approach the big intersections, like I am anticipating them turning yellow.

I've never gotten a ticket for this before, but ticket or no ticket, it doesn't seem safe when that (light goes green to yellow to red, while crossing intersection) happens in a big city on a big intersection, with a whole bunch of tired drivers going home from work.

Answer 4

Go to court and turn it around on them and say you attempted to stop for the AMBER light and ask the officer if they could see your brake lights from where he or she was. Make sure you get a closed answer then ask how far from the intersection they were. If the officer says he was watching the light then how could they see the lines.

Answer 5

Failing to stop if you may safely do so before the stop line. It makes no difference when it turns red as far as the line is concerned. If the speed limit is 10 mph, you can do it quickly. If the speed limit is 40, you have to slow down and stop a lot sooner.

Answer 6

it is crossing the line after the light turns red. at least in California. But good luck if the cop says different- you'll have to prove it,

Answer 7

crossing the line after it turns red

Answer 8

you'll by no skill beat that cost ticket. in the first position, the way you describe it, sounds like you've been attempting to conquer a yellow. Yellow skill provide up if a possibility, no longer floor it. N.B. verify your mirror first! That reported, i imagine each individual might want to contest each site visitors cost ticket each and each of how. bypass to court and plead no longer in charge. you'll lose, and get chraged court prices. record an charm. you'll lose and get charged more effective court prices. Gosh, it is more cost-effective to easily pay the cost ticket! that's how the gadget is determined up. yet when adequate human beings fought adequate tickets, the gadget overloads and breaks down. suited guess is to bypass to the first court date, plead no longer in charge, and want you're in a jurisdiction the position the officer ought to be there or they brush aside. Or communicate over with the prosecutor formerly court and verify out to good deal a discounted cost, a non-shifting violation. which will provide up your coverage going up.

Answer 9

That all depends on the state. I know that in Texas if any part of your car is thru the intersection you are free and clear. But in California, if any part of your car is inside the intersection you are assed out.

Answer 10

Its up to the officer writing the ticket