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Penalties for Running a Red

Light in California

POSTED IN NEWS & PRESS ON AUGUST 14,

2017

Red light running is one of the top causes of

motor vehicle accidents in California. Ignoring
tra!c signals puts everyone on the roadway
in danger. It is every driver’s responsibility to
obey roadway rules, including coming to
complete stops at red lights. If a driver runs a
red light, he or she could face numerous
penalties, from moving violations to criminal
charges, in the event of an accident. Here’s
what could happen to a driver who runs a red
light in California.

MOVING VIOLATION PENALTIES

The most common penalty when police catch
a driver running a red light is a moving
violation. Drivers must come to full stops at or
before the limit line – the painted line that
indicates where vehicles should stop – when a
tra!c control device turns red. If there is no
limit line, drivers should stop at the beginning
of the intersection. Failure to stop, or “rolling
through” a red light without coming to a full
stop, is a moving violation.

A moving violation for running red lights in

California can come with hefty "nes – some of
the highest in the nation. The average "ne for
rolling through a stop sign is $250 in
California. Fines can escalate to $450-$500 for
running red lights. The base "ne for this
infraction is $100, but the total increases with
additional court costs depending on the
county. These costs can include state and
court penalty assessments, court operations,
and conviction assessments. Attending tra!c
school is an additional cost associated with
these violations.

A driver will not receive a moving violation for

driving through a yellow light in California. The
vehicle must have entered the intersection
before the light turned red to avoid a citation.
Drivers in California may make right-hand
turns on red when applicable. California is one
of 41 states that allow left-hand turns on red
lights if both streets are one way. The state’s
red-light rules and possible "nes aim to
encourage drivers to come to full stops at red
lights and stop signs to prevent intersection
collisions.

POSSIBLE DEFENSES FOR RED-

LIGHT RUNNING
If you receive a ticket for running a red light, it
may be possible to "ght the citation
depending on the circumstances. This can
eliminate the "nes, mandatory tra!c school,
and points on your license that running the
light may in#ict. The o!cer may not have seen
your full stop before pulling you over. You
may not have noticed the stop sign or red
light due to conditions such as a low-hanging
branch. Taking photographs of the
intersection can help your case should you try
to "ght against a red-light ticket in California.

The Golden State is one of 24 states that use

red-light cameras at major intersections. If
you receive a ticket with an image that a red-
light camera captured of your vehicle, you
may be able to argue against the citation.
These cameras are not always reliable. You
may not have been the person driving the
vehicle at the time or the yellow light may
have been shorter than average. If you live in
a city that requires posted signs for red-light
cameras and one was absent, you may have a
strong defense – especially if you take photos.
A defense attorney may be able to help you
"ght penalties for recently running a red light
or stop sign in California.

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