Hello, I'm pretty new to driving and am worried I will get into trouble for going through a light on amber which then turned red as I passed the stop line. I was intending to stop, but since there was a car following very closly behind I decided that in order to avoid causing an accident (i.e. stopping abruptly) i carried on as the cross roads were clear with no pedestrians/cars cyclists. I'm not sure if there was a camera, there may have been and I'm wondering if it is likely that I will recieve a fine for this despite trying to avoid an accident (it's not a common practice of mine to run red lights, I'm a cautious driver).
2007-11-26 04:14:08 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
that is precisely what the amber light is for, means prepare to stop, but if that means slamming on the anchors and being ran into then go through the amber
2007-11-26 04:17:57 · answer #1 · answered by zebediah 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
As per working in New York State - Clearly stated a Yellow light is the same as a green light. A yellow is a warning that the light is about to turn red - it doesn't mean speed up.
Unless your vehicle is less than 45 feet prior to a marked crosswalk or building line at the time the light turned red you are considered in the intersection which means you are okay.
If the light turns red and you are 45 feet or more of the crosswalk or building line and enter that area you are in violation of disobeying a steady red light. Whether or not someone is on your rear would be up to the issuing officer - at that point it is a discretionary opinion of the officer, especially if he pulls both vehicles over at once (yes it is possible, and done quite often with some cautious skill by the officer).
A camera red light is not a violation against the driver but against the vehicle (registered owner is responsible).
2007-11-26 14:05:35 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I and many guite correctly would pass through an amber light instead of braking heavily.
That is why there is a short amber period as merely a warning that a red is imminent.
Technicaly it only an offence to put a wheel over the line on a red signal, so you did the correct thing.
Bob
2007-11-26 13:23:39 · answer #3 · answered by Bob the Boat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An amber light means "prepare to stop", but if you cannot safely stop, it is OK to go through. If there was a camera and you get a fine, you are within your rights to contest it, By the same token, if you had of stopped and the car behind you hit you, that car is at fault for traveling too close. You did the right and safest thing you could.
2007-11-26 12:22:38 · answer #4 · answered by musicdancerecords 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. The yellow light is a caution light to tell you that the light is about to turn red. You can even run a red light to avoid an accident if you have to. There is something called an affirmative defense and also there is a lessor of two evils defense. The camera would not have a picture of you if the light was yellow. You better have witnesses though if you geet a ticket for it.
2007-11-26 12:24:01 · answer #5 · answered by eyecue_two 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will be fine given the circumstances.
Where did all these contributors learn to drive?
An amber light does not mean get ready to stop, nor is it a warning that the lights are about to change, an amber light means STOP, IF IT'S SAFE TO DO SO (your scenario), a red light means STOP.
2007-11-26 13:38:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you do it to avoid an accident, or other potentially hazardous situation, then it's perfectly acceptable. If you get pulled over, explain to the officer why you went through the amber, but 9 times out of 10, he will have seen it and let you go.
As for intersections with cameras, I'm not sure how they would work (we don't have many here in Michigan, if we have them at all) but I'm sure that if you received a ticket, and explained it in court, you'd get off.
2007-11-26 12:18:37 · answer #7 · answered by Zach 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are usually ok as long as you are fully into the intersection when the light turns red. Amber basically means stop if you can...otherwise clear out!
In your situation though...better to be rearended (their fault) than to take a chance at a ticket or hitting someone that is jumping the gun on a green light. If you hit someone it would very likely be your fault.
2007-11-26 12:18:11 · answer #8 · answered by bob 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yellow is not red! Sounds like you did the right thing. It's always a good idea to avoid stopping so abruptly if at all possible.
2007-11-26 12:35:03 · answer #9 · answered by Jay 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Amber traffic light means stop at the stop line unless you have already crossed it, or you are so close to it that to stop might be dangerous or cause an accident.
2007-11-27 10:47:16 · answer #10 · answered by Trevor h 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
would you rather pay a few thousand dollars in damage and deal with insurance and another upset driver OR get a ticket for going through a red light? Yellow means slow down so if you see that you might not slow down in time or might cause an accident i think this its your call.
2007-11-26 12:20:10 · answer #11 · answered by mimi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋