Omar Bennett
Running a red light is generally illegal in Virginia, but there are exceptions. A steady red light means that traffic must stop and stay stopped until the signal changes or a green arrow appears. However, there are certain circumstances where a driver may proceed through a red light, such as when making a right turn after a complete stop or when directed by a police officer. Traffic cameras are also permitted in some counties, and a ticket from a camera is considered a civil violation without affecting driving records or insurance rates. Understanding the specific laws and exceptions in Virginia is crucial for safe driving and avoiding penalties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Solid red light | Traffic must stop and remain stopped until the signal changes |
| Solid red light with a green arrow | Traffic can proceed in the direction of the arrow |
| Solid amber light | A change in traffic flow is imminent |
| Flashing red light | Traffic must stop and yield to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection |
| Flashing red arrow | Traffic must stop and yield to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection before turning in the direction of the arrow |
| Flashing amber light | Traffic may proceed with caution, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection |
| Flashing amber arrow | Traffic may turn in the direction of the arrow with caution |
| Solid yellow light | Traffic must stop if possible and safe to do so |
| Police officer directing traffic | Traffic lights do not apply |
| Portable stop sign | Traffic lights do not apply |
| Power failure or faulty traffic lights | Treat the intersection as a stop sign |
| Motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles at a red light | May proceed if they come to a complete stop, exercise due care, and yield to approaching vehicles |
| Running a red light | Fine of up to $350, usually around $100, and 4 demerit points on the driving record for 3 years |
| Running a red light caught on camera | Fine of up to $50 with no demerit points |
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What You'll Learn
Solid red lights mean stop
In Virginia, solid red lights mean stop. This rule applies to all motorists, including drivers of motorcycles and mopeds, as well as bicycle riders. Running a red light is illegal and can result in a fine and demerit points on your driving record if a police officer pulls you over. The fine can be up to $350, usually around $100, and the demerit points will stay on your Virginia DMV record for three years. If a traffic camera catches you running a red light, you will only be subject to a fine of up to $50 and will not receive any demerit points.
Solid red lights indicate that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a steady green arrow. This means that if you are facing a solid red light, you must come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the light changes or there is a green arrow indicating it is safe to proceed. It is illegal to drive through an intersection when the light for your direction is solid red, and you will be violating the law if you do so.
There are, however, some exceptions to the red light rule in Virginia. You can turn right at a red light if you come to a complete stop and it is safe to do so. Similarly, you can turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street if you come to a complete stop and it is safe. If you are part of a marked funeral procession or a parade, you may proceed through a red light. You may also go through a red light if a police officer directs you to or if it is the safest option available to you and you are avoiding greater harm.
It is important to note that a flashing red light is different from a solid red light. A flashing red light should be treated as a stop sign, and you must follow all the rules that apply to stop signs. This includes yielding the right-of-way to any pedestrians or vehicles that may be in the intersection.
In conclusion, solid red lights in Virginia mean stop. Motorists must come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the light changes or there is a green arrow indicating it is safe to proceed. Running a red light can result in fines and demerit points, so it is important to obey the traffic signals and be mindful of the rules and exceptions to ensure the safety of all road users.
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Flashing red lights treated like stop signs
In Virginia, a flashing red light should be treated like a stop sign. This means that traffic must stop before entering an intersection and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection. After stopping, traffic may cautiously enter the intersection, but only to turn in the direction indicated by the signal.
Flashing red lights are usually found at intersections where traffic lights are not usually necessary, such as rural areas or places where traffic is usually light. They may also be found at intersections where traffic lights are temporarily out of service due to a power failure or other issues. In these cases, drivers should treat the intersection as if it were controlled by a stop sign.
It is important to note that running a flashing red light is illegal and can result in a fine and demerit points on your driving record in Virginia. If a traffic camera catches you running a flashing red light, you will only be subject to a fine, which is usually around $100 but can be up to $350. These tickets are considered civil violations and do not affect your driving record, criminal record, or insurance rates.
There are some exceptions to the rule that you must stop at a flashing red light. For example, you can turn right at a flashing red light if you come to a complete stop and it is safe to do so. You can also turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street if you come to a complete stop and it is safe. You may also proceed through a flashing red light if you are part of a marked funeral procession or parade, or if a police officer directs you to do so. Additionally, you can run a flashing red light if it is the safest option available to you and you are avoiding greater harm.
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Traffic cameras can issue tickets
In Virginia, traffic cameras are permitted if they are clearly marked. As of 2023, eleven counties in Virginia use them, and that number is expected to rise. If a traffic camera catches you running a red light, you will only be subject to a fine and not demerit points on your record. The maximum fine in this instance is $50. Tickets issued due to traffic cameras are considered civil violations, and they do not affect your driving record, criminal record, or insurance rates.
If you receive a ticket from a traffic camera, it will be mailed to the address on the DMV record for the owner of the vehicle, and it will have valid information for paying and/or contesting the fine. You will never get a ticket from Virginia via phone or email.
Running a red light is illegal, but sometimes it might happen unintentionally. Going through an intersection is illegal when the traffic light in your direction is solid red. The law states, "Steady red means that traffic must stop and stay stopped while the red light is on unless there is a steady green arrow pointing in a different direction." Red lights can be red circles or arrows, and they both mean the same thing: you must stop.
There are some exceptions to the red light rule in Virginia. You can turn right if you come to a complete stop, and it is safe. You can turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street if you come to a complete stop, and it’s safe. You can proceed if you are part of a marked funeral procession or parade. You can go through if a police officer directs you to. You can run the light if it is the safest option and you’re avoiding greater danger.
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Police officers can direct traffic differently
In Virginia, it is illegal to drive through an intersection when the light for your direction is solid red. A steady red light means that traffic must stop and stay stopped while the red light is on, unless there is a steady green arrow pointing in a different direction. Red lights can be red circles or arrows, and they both mean the same thing: you must stop.
However, there are exceptions to the rule. For example, you can turn right if you come to a complete stop and it is safe to do so. You can also proceed if you are part of a marked funeral procession or parade. Importantly, you can go through a red light if a police officer directs you to. This also applies to intersections with law-enforcement officers or other authorized persons directing traffic.
Officers may also direct traffic differently to address a specific violation or dangerous situation. For example, if a driver runs a red light and an officer is present, they may choose to pull over the driver and issue a citation. Alternatively, if an officer observes a driver behaving erratically or dangerously, they may direct that driver to pull over and stop, even if it means stopping in the middle of an intersection or proceeding through a red light.
In addition, police officers can be responsible for directing traffic in the event of a power outage or malfunctioning traffic lights. In such cases, officers may manually direct traffic through the intersection, overriding the standard traffic light protocol. This ensures that traffic continues to flow safely and efficiently, even in the absence of functioning traffic signals.
It is important to note that while police officers have the authority to direct traffic and grant exceptions to the red light rule, drivers are still expected to exercise caution and adhere to standard traffic laws as much as possible. This includes coming to a complete stop, yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles, and only proceeding when it is safe to do so.
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Exceptions for motorcyclists and cyclists
In Virginia, motorcyclists and cyclists are permitted to pass through a red light under certain conditions. According to Virginia Code 46.2-833, motorcyclists and cyclists may proceed through an intersection with a steady red light if they meet the following criteria:
- They come to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two minutes, whichever is shorter.
- They exercise due care as provided by law.
- They treat the traffic control device as a stop sign.
- They determine that it is safe to proceed.
- They yield the right of way to any approaching vehicles from either direction.
This law was enacted to address the issue of cyclists and motorcyclists being unnoticed by induction loops at intersections, which would otherwise cause them to be stuck on a red signal indefinitely.
Additionally, Virginia law permits right turns after stopping at a red light, as long as it is done cautiously and in adherence to right-of-way rules. Furthermore, motorists are allowed to turn left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street after coming to a complete stop, provided it is safe to do so.
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Frequently asked questions
It is illegal to drive through an intersection when the light for your direction is solid red. This includes red circles and red arrows.
There are a few exceptions to the red light rule in Virginia:
- You can turn right after coming to a complete stop, and it is safe to do so.
- You can turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street after coming to a complete stop, and it is safe.
- You can proceed if you are part of a marked funeral procession or parade.
- You can go through if a police officer directs you to.
- You can run the light if it is the safest option and you're avoiding greater danger.
If a police officer sees you running a red light, you will face a fine and demerit points on your driving record. The fine can be up to $350, usually around $100. For a moving violation, you will receive 4 points, which will stay on your Virginia DMV record for three years. If a traffic camera catches you running a red light, you will only be fined, with a maximum fine of $50, and will not receive demerit points.
