Red-light Running

Red light running has become an increasing concern for the traffic safety
community. If you drive through a red light or flashing red light and
receive a traffic citation, you will be required to attend Traffic Survival
School upon your conviction. If you run a red light and cause a collision
which results in life-threatening injuries to another driver or passenger,
you may be fined up to $500, your driver license may be suspended for
up to three months, and you may be required to perform community
service. If you cause a collision which results in the death of another
driver or passenger, you may be fined up to $1,000, your driving privilege
may be suspended for up to six months, and you may be required to
perform community service.

MVD is required by law to order the completion of Traffic Survival School

(TSS) for every red light conviction reported by the courts. A red light
violation conviction in Arizona results in a three-point penalty on your
driving record that triggers insurance rate increases. When you pay the
fine, you are assuming responsibility for the violation, and it is reported to
MVD as a conviction. Failure to complete the traffic survival course within
90 days (at your own expense) results in an indefinite suspension of your
driving privilege.

If you receive a citation for running a red light and have not attended a
defensive driving class for citation diversion within the last two years, you
may attend a course like this and have your citation diverted. If you have
attended a defensive driving class for any citation diversion within the last
24 months, you may not have the citation diverted.

Red Light Cameras

Red-light cameras are located near intersections where red-light running
hazards have been identified. Two cameras are mounted on poles to
photograph the front of the vehicle and driver, and one to photograph the
rear of the vehicle and license plate. Two trip type sensors are placed in
the roadway and tied to the computer that operates the camera. The
computer is connected to the signal lights. The first sensor is located at
the curb line, which is the legal beginning of an intersection. The second
sensor is located in the intersection, ten feet from the first sensor. The
sensors become active after the signal turns red. A vehicle must pass
over both active sensors before a violation occurs. Any vehicle on or past
the first sensor before the light turns to red will not be photographed. Any
vehicle that does not pass over the second sensor will not be
photographed. In other words, any vehicle legally in an intersection or
turning at the intersection will not be photographed.

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Unit 11: Page 2 of 3

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Red Lights

Turning on a Red Light

When drivers come to a red light, they can turn right, if a) they come to a full stop; and b) there is
no sign prohibiting it. Drivers should stop at the limit line or, if no line exists, before entering the
intersection. Then if it is safe, they can make a right turn. They should especially watch out for
bikes in the bike lane or any pedestrians stepping into the street.
A red traffic light means you must completely stop your vehicle behind the limit line, crosswalk, or
before the intersection. Every time you stop, you should feel your body move slightly forward and
then backward. You are breaking the force of inertia which makes your body keep moving forward
even though the vehicle is slowing down. If you do not feel yourself move backward against your
seat, you have not stopped completely.

There is a situation where you can legally turn left against a red light. If drivers are on a one-way
street turning onto a one-way street, they can turn left even when the light is red. Just as with the
right-hand turn, drivers should make a full stop at the limit line or, if no line exists, before entering
the intersection. If no sign prohibits it, the driver may turn left when it is safe. As a rule, drivers are
more vulnerable in this situation, so they should be very careful to look out for bicyclists,
pedestrians, or vehicles moving on their green light.

Red-light Running

Red light running has become an increasing concern for the traffic safety community. If you drive
through a red light or flashing red light and receive a traffic citation, you will be required to attend
Traffic Survival School upon your conviction. If you run a red light and cause a collision which
results in life-threatening injuries to another driver or passenger, you may be fined up to $500,
your driver license may be suspended for up to three months, and you may be required to
perform community service. If you cause a collision which results in the death of another driver or
passenger, you may be fined up to $1,000, your driving privilege may be suspended for up to six
months, and you may be required to perform community service.

MVD is required by law to order the completion of Traffic Survival School (TSS) for every red light
conviction reported by the courts. A red light violation conviction in Arizona results in a three-
point penalty on your driving record that triggers insurance rate increases. When you pay the fine,
you are assuming responsibility for the violation, and it is reported to MVD as a conviction. Failure
to complete the traffic survival course within 90 days (at your own expense) results in an indefinite
suspension of your driving privilege.

If you receive a citation for running a red light and have not attended a defensive driving class for
citation diversion within the last two years, you may attend a course like this and have your
citation diverted. If you have attended a defensive driving class for any citation diversion within
the last 24 months, you may not have the citation diverted.

In 1999, the State of Arizona ranked # 1 in the nation for fatalities caused by red-light running
crashes. As a result of educating drivers about the serious consequences of red light running,
Arizona driver behavior has changed. In 2010, Arizona ranked #6 nationally in fatalities due to
collisions caused by red-light running. Although ranking number 6 out of 50 states still leaves a lot
of room for improvement in the future, it shows progress in the right direction.

Arizona roads are getting safer as drivers practice safer, more responsible driving. Police in Arizona
cities holds lawbreakers accountable through the use of live-saving enforcement tools such as red
light cameras and speed cameras that deter drivers from breaking the law by running red lights.
Statistics from these communities show safety cameras are working to reduce crashes and save
lives.

Red Light Cameras

Red-light cameras are located near intersections where red-light running hazards have been
identified. Two cameras are mounted on poles to photograph the front of the vehicle and driver,
and one to photograph the rear of the vehicle and license plate. Two trip type sensors are placed
in the roadway and tied to the computer that operates the camera. The computer is connected to
the signal lights. The first sensor is located at the curb line, which is the legal beginning of an
intersection. The second sensor is located in the intersection, ten feet from the first sensor. The
sensors become active after the signal turns red. A vehicle must pass over both active sensors
before a violation occurs. Any vehicle on or past the first sensor before the light turns to red will
not be photographed. Any vehicle that does not pass over the second sensor will not be
photographed. In other words, any vehicle legally in an intersection or turning at the intersection
will not be photographed.

When driving use common sense especially at intersections. Other drivers will naturally assume
you are going to stop for the red light, and you may not only break the law, but you can kill
yourself and others in the process.

U-turns

Making a U-turn means reversing your direction by turning around and going back the way you
came on the same street. A driver is very vulnerable to a crash when making a U-turn and must
exercise considerable caution. Here is how a U-turn should be performed:

Get over to the left. Make the turn from the lane nearest to the centerline of the street. If the
street has a center left turn lane, make your turn from there.

Signal your intention to turn left.

As you slow down to make the turn, watch closely so as not to endanger anyone behind you.
As you turn, watch for vehicles coming toward you and for vehicles turning right from a side
street.

Make the turn as tight as possible.

U-turns are perplexing. When can you make them? When are they illegal? If you read the vehicle
code, you won't necessarily know the answers any better than you do now. It's in legalese and
unclear. Typically, in order to be perfectly clear, the law is perfectly obscure. If you could
understand it, this is what it means.

U-turns are always permitted everywhere by state law unless signs are posted saying No U-turn.
Cities may restrict this in certain areas by City ordinance.