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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2008
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    21

    Default Disregarding a Yellow Light Ticket

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

    Today I was driving home from the store and as I approached a light in the left turn lane, it turned yellow. Instead of stopping, I accelerated and went through the light. A state trooper pulled me over and told me that even though the light was yellow, I should have stopped instead of speeding up and going through the light. He then gave me a ticket for disregarding a yellow light. My friends tell me that this is a BS ticket and I should fight it, but I'm not sure if I should. If I lose, I assume I will still have to pay for the ticket, but will I have to also pay court costs or anything? What should I do?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Disregarding a Yellow Light Ticket

    I have never heard of a statute for going through a yellow light. Perhaps you care to share the code you were cited for?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Disregarding a Yellow Light Ticket

    It seems that even if there is a statute requiring that you not disregard a yellow light, you're probably in the clear. You admit that you accelerated upon seeing the yellow light. The citation for disregarding would be correct if you maintained a constant speed through the intersection, regardless of the yellow. Either deceleration or acceleration would be evidence that you did not disregard the signal.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    21

    Default Re: Disregarding a Yellow Light Ticket

    Quote Quoting Disagreeable
    View Post
    I have never heard of a statute for going through a yellow light. Perhaps you care to share the code you were cited for?
    I hope this makes sense. The ordinance listed is 257.612(1)(b

    The description is "disregard steady yellow signal"

    Remarks:
    "The spotter tpr long watched you speed up in the turn lane to make a left hand turn on a steady yellow light onto Sterns road"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
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    98,846

    Default Re: Disregarding a Yellow Light Ticket

    Quote Quoting Sharissa13
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    ...as I approached a light in the left turn lane, it turned yellow. Instead of stopping, I accelerated and went through the light.
    Oops.
    Quote Quoting MCL 257.612. Traffic control signals.
    (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:...

    (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.....
    If you have a clean driving record, I suggest trying to talk to the prosecutor who is responsible for your ticket. You may be able to work out a deal to get the ticket dismissed on payment of the fine, or to get a zero point offense substituted for the current charge.
    Quote Quoting donzoh1
    View Post
    It seems that even if there is a statute requiring that you not disregard a yellow light, you're probably in the clear.... Either deceleration or acceleration would be evidence that you did not disregard the signal.
    There's some wishful thinking....

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Disregarding a Yellow Light Ticket

    I'd be making sure of whatever yellow time interval is required and that the interval is provided at this intersection.

    The statute doesn't really talk about "disregarding" a yellow signal but rather that if a safe stop can't be made, the vehicle may be driven "cautiously" through the intersection. The officer will probably argue that acceleration is not cautious. However, it would seem that if the legislature intended to prohibit acceleration, this would have been stated specifically.

    I better get out my checkbook. I know I do one of these per day.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: Disregarding a Yellow Light Ticket

    Quote Quoting donzoh1
    View Post
    It seems that even if there is a statute requiring that you not disregard a yellow light, you're probably in the clear. You admit that you accelerated upon seeing the yellow light. The citation for disregarding would be correct if you maintained a constant speed through the intersection, regardless of the yellow. Either deceleration or acceleration would be evidence that you did not disregard the signal.
    That is just beautiful thinking.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Disregarding a Yellow Light Ticket

    Quote Quoting JPelter
    View Post
    That is just beautiful thinking.
    I rarely get compliments like that around here.

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