Comment by runako
Yes, you are correct. That's why I specifically did not address the car's entry into the intersection.
Given the red light, is the car in a legal position in the freeze frame?
Yes, you are correct. That's why I specifically did not address the car's entry into the intersection.
Given the red light, is the car in a legal position in the freeze frame?
At least one California law firm disagrees, hence my question:
https://www.wccbc.com/red-and-yellow-light-accidents/#:~:tex....
Some quick Googling shows that "it depends on where" appears to be the right answer. New Jersey appears to be a populated jurisdiction where this might not be legal.
As I said MOST US states.
I looked at the link and NO, they DO NOT DISAGREE. Read the language, drivers SPEEDING through a yellow light MAY be found negligent if they cause an injury to someone.
"California’s yellow light law permits drivers to enter an intersection during a yellow light. No violation exists unless any part of the car is over the stopping line when the light turns red. However, the law encourages drivers to slow down before reaching the intersection.
In California, the yellow light law provides that drivers are automatically “warned” by the light turning yellow that the traffic light is about to change to red. This means that a faulty driver cannot avoid responsibility for an accident simply by claiming that they didn’t see the yellow light.
It doesn’t matter if they saw it or not. Drivers speeding through a yellow light may be found negligent for not slowing down if their driving caused an accident or injured others."
I agree with your interpretation of that site's text, but I don't believe that text is an accurate interpretation of California law. It would be a violation to cross the stopping line when the light is steady red unless for a turn on red after stopping when that's not prohibited by a sign at the intersection (as in this intersection) or by a red arrow (not all states prohibit turns on red arrow after stopping). But afaik, there's no prohibition of being over the line when the light turns red. Only for crossing while red, or entering without the exit being clear.
Yes. I do not understand why this is so misunderstood in the comments.
This picture is LEGAL in most US states as long as the car entered the intersection ON A GREEN OR YELLOW light.