My Wife just got a ticket for going through a YELLOW Light?!?!?

[mugs]

The ticket probably gives you some number that indicates exactly what law she violated (i.e. 39:2A-31). Google that and see exactly what the law says about yellow lights. Did the officer acknowledge that the light was yellow when he gave her the ticket?

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: mugs
The ticket probably gives you some number that indicates exactly what law she violated (i.e. 39:2A-31). Google that and see exactly what the law says about yellow lights. Did the officer acknowledge that the light was yellow when he gave her the ticket?

Yeah, do this... who knows, wifey might have been pulled over for something else and the officer mentioned the yellow light, and in her emotional distress she thought the ticket was for that... or something.

If you go to the police station, be certain to get a copy of the police report for the ticket so you can see the officer's comments and be prepared to refute them in traffic court.

I normally hate "I got a ticket" threads, but a ticketed for a yellow light just seems like the officer saw an easy target.

 

[Synth3t1c]

she shouldve slowed down. yellow isnt caution red is comming up, it is stop before its too late

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Synth3t1c
she shouldve slowed down. yellow isnt caution red is comming up, it is stop before its too late

Next time you're behind me when a light turns yellow, should I give my ABS a workout to stop before entering the intersection? That'll slow me down in a hurry, and you just might say hello to my trailer hitch.

Sometimes it's safer to go through a yellow -- that's why lights don't go directly from green to red.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: deadken
OK, so my Wife just came back from the store in her Grey 1994 Volvo 940 (not some 2005 Red convertible). On her way back she gets pulled over by a County Cop who says she went through a Yellow light. He says he didn't even want to pull her over, but his boss was in the car and HE wanted him to (it makes sense because they didn't pull her over until she was way down the road from where she went through the light).

Anyway.... He writes her the ticket and she comes home and tells me the story. OK, A ticket is a ticket and I don't like the idea of paying probably $125, and believe me I usually laugh at people who seek legal advice from the internet, but I just had to ask... Since when is going through a Yellow light illegal? On the ticket (in the 'Violation' section) it says "passed med light". I live in New York in case that makes any difference (<- boy, that might generate a few comments).

I guess I will just go by the local prencinct today and ask about it. I don't even see what amount I would pay if I wanted to plead guilty (it only shows for red lights and speeding). But if it counts as a Red light then it will cost $75 + a $50 surcharge. Great... As if my taxes don't pay for enough in this state....

there are lawyers that help you deal with traffic tickets. Why not ask them what is the best course of action? If they say forget it, then there you go.

 

[altonb1]

Why are so many people advising to just pay it? That is silly. You should review your options and more than likely, go to court.

 

[CrazyDe1]

Originally posted by: LanceM
Yes, you must stop at a yellow light unless it is absolutely unsafe to do so.

Surely doesn't mean "speed up" like most people use it (not to say that your wife did).

No you don't.

If you enter an intersection at any time that it's yellow you cannot be ticketed for "running a light".

The laws everywhere in the US state that if you enter an intersection you have a legal right to exit the intersection. It is LEGAL to enter an intersection at any time while it's yellow so as long as you enter the intersection while it's yellow they cannot ticket you for any sort of running a red light violation.

 

[QED]

If the officer didn't want to give you the ticket in the first place (but only had to because his boss with with him in the patrol car), you might stand a good chance of him not showing up for your court appearance-- which means the case is dropped.

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode......there are lawyers that help you deal with traffic tickets. Why not ask them what is the best course of action? If they say forget it, then there you go.

Good point. I do feel that most lawyers will take a case, even if they don't think it can be won, just to make some money. If the local precinct or my insurance agent (agent, not company) says that there isn't any points/increased insurance costs for it, then I will most likely just pay for it. I would have no problem going to traffic court and stating my case / arguing it out, but my Wife is different then me.

Originally posted by: mugsThe ticket probably gives you some number that indicates exactly what law she violated (i.e. 39:2A-31). Google that and see exactly what the law says about yellow lights. Did the officer acknowledge that the light was yellow when he gave her the ticket?

The only other thing would be this "IN VIOLATION OF SECTION: 1111. SUBD.: d1 OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK". In that section, the "1111." and the "d1" were handwritten in. Just below that (handwritten in) is what I posted before "passed med light". I have googled around and it seems to be too much info. I will try again with just "1111. d1" and maybe "New York" and see what comes up. Thanks for the good suggestions.

Originally posted by: Injury.....If you go to the police station, be certain to get a copy of the police report for the ticket so you can see the officer's comments and be prepared to refute them in traffic court.....

Good point. I never even knew that one existed (a police report for the ticket). Thanks for the good advice.

 

[BoomerD]

From the Kahleeforneeya DMV site:
"Solid Yellow- A yellow signal light means ?CAUTION.? The red signal is about to appear. When you see the yellow light, stop if you can do so safely. If you can?t stop safely, enter the intersection cautiously."

From the NY DMV site:
"STEADY YELLOW: The light is changing from green to red. Be ready to stop for the red light."
From the NY Assembly site on traffic laws:
"(b) Yellow indications:
1. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady circular yellow signal
may enter the intersection; however, said traffic is thereby warned that
the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication
will be exhibited immediately thereafter.
2. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady yellow arrow signal
may cautiously enter the intersection only to complete the movement
indicated by such arrow or make such other movement as is permitted by
other indications shown at the same time; however, said traffic is
thereby warned that the related green arrow movement is being terminated
or that a red indication will be ehxibited immediately thereafter.
3. Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as
provided in section eleven hundred twelve, pedestrians facing any steady
yellow signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to
cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian
shall then start to cross the roadway."

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Intent is 3/4ths of the law. However, she did not intend to stop by the time it was red. Thats illegal.

That's ridiculous.

 

[CrazyDe1]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
From the Kahleeforneeya DMV site:
"Solid Yellow- A yellow signal light means ?CAUTION.? The red signal is about to appear. When you see the yellow light, stop if you can do so safely. If you can?t stop safely, enter the intersection cautiously."

From the NY DMV site:
"STEADY YELLOW: The light is changing from green to red. Be ready to stop for the red light."
From the NY Assembly site on traffic laws:
"(b) Yellow indications:
1. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady circular yellow signal
may enter the intersection; however, said traffic is thereby warned that
the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication
will be exhibited immediately thereafter.
2. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady yellow arrow signal
may cautiously enter the intersection only to complete the movement
indicated by such arrow or make such other movement as is permitted by
other indications shown at the same time; however, said traffic is
thereby warned that the related green arrow movement is being terminated
or that a red indication will be ehxibited immediately thereafter.
3. Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as
provided in section eleven hundred twelve, pedestrians facing any steady
yellow signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to
cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian
shall then start to cross the roadway."

Exactly..

Fight it. If you were not guilty it's your duty to fight it so the officer doesn't pull this crap in the future.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: CrazyDe1

Originally posted by: LanceM
Yes, you must stop at a yellow light unless it is absolutely unsafe to do so.

Surely doesn't mean "speed up" like most people use it (not to say that your wife did).

No you don't.

If you enter an intersection at any time that it's yellow you cannot be ticketed for "running a light".

The laws everywhere in the US state that if you enter an intersection you have a legal right to exit the intersection. It is LEGAL to enter an intersection at any time while it's yellow so as long as you enter the intersection while it's yellow they cannot ticket you for any sort of running a red light violation.

My Wisconsin driver's ed class taught us that the one should pull out into the intersection during a left turn at a light. If the intersection is busy, all the way until the light is red, then you still are allowed something like 2 or 3 seconds to exit the intersection.

Maybe we were taught wrong, but that also seems to be the way that most people make left turns, including cops. *shrug*

 

[montanafan]

Originally posted by: MathMan
If the officer didn't want to give you the ticket in the first place (but only had to because his boss with with him in the patrol car), you might stand a good chance of him not showing up for your court appearance-- which means the case is dropped.

I agree. If the officer really told her that he didn't want to give her the ticket and only did it because his boss was with him, there's a good chance that he may not even show up for court or that once he's there, providing his boss isn't there too, he may just drop it if she can give a reasonable argument like that she felt she was too close to the intersection to stop safely when it turned yellow. I've had a ticket withdrawn by the officer when I had a good explanation in court of why I shouldn't have gotten it.

 

[Baked]

Yellow means step on the gas and peel rubber. Red means hit the NOS.

 

[Evadman]

Green means go, Yellow means go faster, Red means look both ways while you are going.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: deadken

Originally posted by: Iron Woode......there are lawyers that help you deal with traffic tickets. Why not ask them what is the best course of action? If they say forget it, then there you go.

Good point. I do feel that most lawyers will take a case, even if they don't think it can be won, just to make some money. If the local precinct or my insurance agent (agent, not company) says that there isn't any points/increased insurance costs for it, then I will most likely just pay for it. I would have no problem going to traffic court and stating my case / arguing it out, but my Wife is different then me.

Just phone some of them up and get some advice. Most will be able to tell you a little something while on the phone. If you like what you hear then weigh the costs of litigation vs the costs of raised insurance premiums.

 

[tynopik]

it is always worth fighting, even if you're guilty

in most areas, a traffic attorney can get it reduced a non-moving violation or similar

this is huge both in terms of points on license and insurance

maybe this one by itself won't be a big impact, but then the next one . . . it would be far better to only have 1 moving violation than 2

always fight to keep your number of violations as low as possible

 

[narutofan36]

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: scottish144
Lol I went to traffic school for this type of crap. Turns out that if you run a yellow light you must be sure you can get through before it turns red. If it turns red while ur in the intersection, your liable for a ticket. I did the same thing, and even though there were no other cars the cop pulled me over :|

This sucks too because different lights have different yellow-light times. Some yellow lights are on for literally less than one second. Some lights stay yellow for more than 3 seconds.

I have seen police cars go through yellow lights too. One time in particular - I went through a yellow light, and a police car right behind me came through too, and he didn't pull me over, he just continued on to wherever he was going.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: CrazyDe1

Originally posted by: LanceM
Yes, you must stop at a yellow light unless it is absolutely unsafe to do so.

Surely doesn't mean "speed up" like most people use it (not to say that your wife did).

No you don't.

If you enter an intersection at any time that it's yellow you cannot be ticketed for "running a light".

The laws everywhere in the US state that if you enter an intersection you have a legal right to exit the intersection. It is LEGAL to enter an intersection at any time while it's yellow so as long as you enter the intersection while it's yellow they cannot ticket you for any sort of running a red light violation.

My Wisconsin driver's ed class taught us that the one should pull out into the intersection during a left turn at a light. If the intersection is busy, all the way until the light is red, then you still are allowed something like 2 or 3 seconds to exit the intersection.

Maybe we were taught wrong, but that also seems to be the way that most people make left turns, including cops. *shrug*

How come most people think that if it turns red while ur in the middle, ur screwed?

As long as your FROnT WHEELS cross the 2nd while line, meaning you're out int he street when the light turns red, y ou're all good... This is why red light cameras don't go off if you're already in hte middle and its red...

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: montanafan

Originally posted by: MathMan
If the officer didn't want to give you the ticket in the first place (but only had to because his boss with with him in the patrol car), you might stand a good chance of him not showing up for your court appearance-- which means the case is dropped.

I agree. If the officer really told her that he didn't want to give her the ticket and only did it because his boss was with him, there's a good chance that he may not even show up for court or that once he's there, providing his boss isn't there too, he may just drop it if she can give a reasonable argument like that she felt she was too close to the intersection to stop safely when it turned yellow. I've had a ticket withdrawn by the officer when I had a good explanation in court of why I shouldn't have gotten it.

:thumbsup:

 

[preslove]

Have the wifey fight it. She will win, unless she says something stupid.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: CrazyDe1

Originally posted by: LanceM
Yes, you must stop at a yellow light unless it is absolutely unsafe to do so.

Surely doesn't mean "speed up" like most people use it (not to say that your wife did).

No you don't.

If you enter an intersection at any time that it's yellow you cannot be ticketed for "running a light".

The laws everywhere in the US state that if you enter an intersection you have a legal right to exit the intersection. It is LEGAL to enter an intersection at any time while it's yellow so as long as you enter the intersection while it's yellow they cannot ticket you for any sort of running a red light violation.

My Wisconsin driver's ed class taught us that the one should pull out into the intersection during a left turn at a light. If the intersection is busy, all the way until the light is red, then you still are allowed something like 2 or 3 seconds to exit the intersection.

Maybe we were taught wrong, but that also seems to be the way that most people make left turns, including cops. *shrug*

How come most people think that if it turns red while ur in the middle, ur screwed?

As long as your FROnT WHEELS cross the 2nd while line, meaning you're out int he street when the light turns red, y ou're all good... This is why red light cameras don't go off if you're already in hte middle and its red...

Right, exactly...more reasons why I thought it was okay to be out in the middle. So certainly, if there's lag time for "left-turners" to get out of the intersection when the light is already red, I can't imagine how someone could be guilty of "running a yellow light".

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: LanceM
If the officer makes an appearance, she won't win. Officers (and judges) don't typically like it when people fight silly little tickets like this, since it's a total waste of their time. They'll simply use her to prove a point.

Wrong. I know someone who fought a yellow light ticket. The judge said that the only way the cops can prove their case is if they have equipment set up to measure the car's speed and distance from the intersection when the light turned yellow. That cop had given out 9 tickets, 4 of them for running yellow lights and was in court for the challenges all on that one day (as is the norm), and she lost them all.