Disobey Traffic Signal, Ran Amber or Red Light

**luckyirish** · 04-01-2010, 12:32 PM

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Michigan

I received a ticket that states, "Disobey Traf Signal (ran amber or red light, right turn thru red light w/o stop).

It's a single lane road, 35 mph, several cars were in the line. I was a safe distance behind the SUV in front of me and not tailgating. As that SUV was leaving the intersection, I was entering it and the light turned yellow just as my tires passed the line. From my vantage point, it was not a safe stop.

This intersection is a T stop in a small town. I was rear ended pretty badly at the same light last October so maybe I'm extra fearful of being hit again?

The part I don't get is the officer was on the other side of the road, far enough back that I didn't notice him as I passed. I wasn't exactly on the look out for cops because I wasn't doing anything wrong. I don't even know if he was first or had cars in front of him. First I knew of his presence, I heard sirens and looked in my rear view mirror to see him turning in the middle of the road. The best I could tell, he was anywhere from 75 -100 feet from the intersection. I drove back a few days ago to see if I could tell what his view of the intersection was, the road is hilly and at 75 feet, it appears he could not even see the lines marking my side of the intersection.

Also, I'm not sure what he's talking about in regards to his comment "right turn thru red light w/o stop. I had been driving straight for over a mile and never made any kind of turn.

This is a 3 point ticket and I don't feel I broke any laws. I drive for a living, so stopping at a light is not a big deal for me, I wasn't in any kind of a rush. What I did was simply the safest choice.

So I'm wondering, is that normal to site someone when they're on the opposite side of the road? When I told him the light was yellow "on my side", he said it was red and he's not a liar. I didn't want to be confrontational, so I didn't say anything, but I'm not a liar either and I could SEE the light in question. He also added that the lights change at the same time, I'm thinking maybe they're out of sync? How can I go about checking that?

In the same conversation, he said another officer driving behind him saw it too, but the officer didn't stick around; once he saw his back up wasn't needed, he left. I'm thinking that was an assumption on this officers part.

Lastly, the officer said he could have sited the guy in front of me as well. That's when I knew he was in total error because the light was definitely green when that guy entered the intersection.

I'm originally from California, there we're taught the yellow means to prepare to stop. If you can't stop safely, pass through. If the light is red before your tires pass the line marking the intersection, technically, you've ran a red. I can't find anything that clarifies the law here in Michigan. Can someone clarify what the laws really are regarding amber/yellow lights? Also, any feedback or suggestions on how I can beat this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

**That Guy** · 04-01-2010, 01:02 PM

Quoting luckyirish

I can't find anything that clarifies the law here in Michigan. Can someone clarify what the laws really are regarding amber/yellow lights?

Here you go:

MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 300 of 1949
257.612 Traffic control signals; location; red arrow and yellow arrow indications; colors; traffic control signal at place other than intersection; stopping at sign, marking, or signal; violation of subsection (1) or (2) as civil infraction; approaching person using wheelchair or device to aid walking; violation of subsection (4) as misdemeanor; location of sign prohibiting turn on red signal; additional sign.
Sec. 612.

(1) When traffic is controlled by traffic control signals, not fewer than 1 signal shall be located over the traveled portion of the roadway so as to give vehicle operators a clear indication of the right-of-way assignment from their normal positions approaching the intersection. The vehicle signals shall exhibit different colored lights successively, 1 at a time, or with arrows. Red arrow and yellow arrow indications have the same meaning as the corresponding circular indications, except that they apply only to vehicle operators intending to make the movement indicated by the arrow. The following colors shall be used, and the terms and lights shall indicate and apply to vehicle operators as follows:

(a) If the signal exhibits a green indication, vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at that place prohibits either turn. Vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited.

(b) If the signal exhibits a steady yellow indication, vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection or at a limit line when marked, but if the stop cannot be made in safety, a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection.

(c) If the signal exhibits a steady red indication, the following apply:

(i) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or at a limit line when marked or, if there is no crosswalk or limit line, before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown, except as provided in subparagraph (ii).

(ii) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal, after stopping before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or at a limit line when marked or, if there is no crosswalk or limit line, before entering the intersection, may make a right turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 2-way street or into a 1-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the right turn or may make a left turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 1-way roadway carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn, unless prohibited by sign, signal, marking, light, or other traffic control device. The vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

(d) If the signal exhibits a steady green arrow indication, vehicular traffic facing the green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow or other movement permitted by other indications shown at the same time. The vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(2) If a traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section apply except for those provisions that by their nature cannot apply. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of a sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.

(3) A person who violates subsection (1) or (2) is responsible for a civil infraction.

(4) A vehicle operator who approaches a person using a wheelchair or a device to aid the person to walk at a crosswalk or any other pedestrian crossing shall take necessary precautions to avoid accident or injury to the person using the wheelchair or device. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(5) A sign prohibiting a turn on a red signal as provided in subsection (1)(c)(ii) shall be located above or adjacent to the traffic control signal or as close as possible to the point where the turn is made, or at both locations, so that 1 or more of the signs are visible to a vehicle operator intending to turn, at the point where the turn is made. An additional sign may be used at the far side of the intersection in the direct line of vision of the turning vehicle operator.
History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 245, Eff. Oct. 14, 1955 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 222, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 237, Eff. Mar. 10, 1967 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 287, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 105, Eff. July 31, 1988 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 33, Eff. Apr. 1, 1991 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 339, Imd. Eff. Aug. 15, 2006
© 2009 Legislative Council, State of Michigan

Here's the link: MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT) - Act 300 of 1949 - 257.612