Anonymous wrote:I remember learning that a yellow light is based on what the speed limit of the road is. 50 mph = 5 second yellow light. Is this still true?

Yes, you can't stop immediately if you're barreling down the Fairfax Co Pkway, for example, at 50 mph for a quick-turning red light. Of course, you'll need a long(er) yellow.

Also, sometimes there will be a 2 second or so delay before the other lights in the intersection turn green as a "just in case" some one does drive through on red.

Anonymous wrote:
But who knows how long the yellow will be? I am usually the dolt who stops waiting at the yellow ... and waiting...

generally the yellow light is one second for every MPH of the posted speed limit, with 3 seconds being the shortest.

some cities where caught shorting yellow lights when they put up red light cameras....

Anonymous wrote:I think there may be some confusion about this issue because of the use of red light cameras. Even in states such as virginia and NJ which are supposed to have restrictive yellow laws, in the rules for red light camera enforcement, they say that as long as your front wheels cross into the intersection when the light is yellow you won't get a ticket even if the light subsequently turns red while you are in the intersection.

http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/rlr/faq.shtm
http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/police/Documents/psfaqs.pdf

It would be interesting if there are any police officers on this forum who could clarify what the actual rules are in virginia and if the rules for red light camera is different then the actual law.

I do not believe this is the case in Alexandria. I've never gotten a ticket, but I've seen the cameras on highway 1 flash many times when the rear wheels of a car are still in the intersection when the light turns red. Maybe they don't actually send the ticket, but I'm guessing they do. I did get a ticket from a camera in DC, and it was only the rear of my car that was still in the intersection.

Anonymous wrote:When the light is yellow, you need to be able to clear the intersection and make it to the other side before light turns red. If you won't make it, you should stop. Or risk getting a ticket.

In Alexandria, the photo cameras will give you a ticket if the rear of your car is still in the intersection when the light turns red.

In Maryland, you do not get ticketed as long as the vehicle has cleared the solid white line completely when the light turns red. This means that the car can still be physically in the intersection when the light is red, and not get ticketed.

I have tested this many times.

How to handle yellow lights:


When approaching a green traffic light, slow down, wait for it to turn yellow, and come to a complete stop. Then just as it turns red, drive though and leave behind all the cars in back of you.

When approaching a green light which just turns yellow, accelerate sharply as if to make it through. Then, look in your rear view mirror. If you see another car right behind you doing the same, SLAM on the brakes and stop abruptly before reaching the intersection.

When driving through a traffic light that just turned yellow, press the brake pedal slightly to keep the brake lights on. That way the driver behind you thinks your going to stop and loses his chance to go through also.

If the car ahead of you goes through a red light, it's always okay for you to follow.

It is not illegal to run red lights or stop signs if there isn't a cop around to see you do it.

I remember learning that a yellow light is based on what the speed limit of the road is. 50 mph = 5 second yellow light. Is this still true?

It's not difficult to check the DC traffic code, which is here:

http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/FinalAdoptionHome.aspx?RuleVersionID=3034274


2103.5 A STEADY YELLOW SIGNAL alone shall have the following meaning:

(a) Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that a related green signal is being terminated or that a red signal will be exhibited thereafter, or both; and

(b) Vehicular traffic shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk of the intersection, unless so close to the intersection that a stop cannot safely be made.

also,

2103.7 A STEADY RED SIGNAL alone or the word “STOP” shall have the following meaning:

(a) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection;

(b) Stopped vehicles shall remain standing until green, green arrow, or flashing yellow is shown, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection; and

(c) A vehicle facing a steady red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn right after stopping. The vehicle shall yield right-of-way to pedestrians within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

and finally:

2103.3 The color GREEN alone or the word “GO” on a traffic control signal shall have the following meaning:

(a) Vehicular traffic facing the GREEN or “GO” signal, except when prohibited under § 2211.4, may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits a turn in either direction or both directions; and

(b) Vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the GREEN or “GO” signal is exhibited.


Therefore:
1. Stop on yellow, unless you cannot do so safely; then proceed through.
2. If you are in the intersection when the light turns red, but you entered when it was green, you DID NOT break the law. If the light was yellow when you entered, you need to be "so close to the intersection that a stop cannot safely be made"

Note no mention of "rear wheels entering the intersection" or any other such BS. Also note these are DC laws only; MD and VA may vary...I encourage commenters to post the citation to the code (not a driver's handbook...it's the code that gets written on the ticket, if you get it).

I think there may be some confusion about this issue because of the use of red light cameras. Even in states such as virginia and NJ which are supposed to have restrictive yellow laws, in the rules for red light camera enforcement, they say that as long as your front wheels cross into the intersection when the light is yellow you won't get a ticket even if the light subsequently turns red while you are in the intersection.

http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/rlr/faq.shtm
http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/police/Documents/psfaqs.pdf

It would be interesting if there are any police officers on this forum who could clarify what the actual rules are in virginia and if the rules for red light camera is different then the actual law.