We know that a yellow light means to slow down. But what if you’re in the middle of the intersection or can’t slow down safely to stop as the light is turning yellow? Is it illegal to run a yellow light? This article highlights the “do’s” and the “don’ts” of Texas yellow light traffic laws to help you and your fellow drivers avoid car accidents.
When It’s Legal — and Not Legal — to Proceed Through a Yellow Light
There are specific times when it’s legal, and sometimes safer, to proceed through a yellow light. If you are halfway through the intersection and the light turns yellow, keep going to clear the intersection. It’s also usually acceptable to proceed through a yellow light if you are too close to the intersection to safely slow down before the crosswalk.
The judgment call lies with you; you need to make the safest decision for you and the other drivers and pedestrians at the intersection. As long as you’re out of the intersection when the light turns red, you’re in the clear.
Avoiding Accidents and Traffic Tickets at Yellow Lights
Intersections are some of the most dangerous and most likely places for accidents to happen. As you approach an intersection, you should:
- Gauge your speed. If the light has been green for a long time, and you’re still a distance off, be aware that you may have to slow down.
- Don’t speed up to run a yellow light. If the light turns yellow and you’re not near the intersection, slow down immediately.
- Be prepared to stop. If the light changes suddenly, you need to be ready to stop quickly to avoid an accident.
Penalties for Running a Red Light After a Yellow
Running a red light, even if you’re going through a yellow light, can be an expensive mistake — sometimes costing upwards of $200, depending on what city you are in. To avoid these fines, be aware of the ever-changing situations of intersections, and make sure you’re following the traffic signals at all times.
Injuries and Accidents From Running a Yellow Light
Both head-on collisions and t-bone collisions can occur when someone tries to make it through an intersection on a yellow light. If you get into an accident at an intersection, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible to avoid internal injuries and to help lay the groundwork for your personal injury claim.
Understanding Your Rights in a Yellow Light Accident
Yellow light accidents often fall on the judgment call of whether or not the other driver was making their best call on getting through the light, whether they were carelessly driving, or if they were outright negligent. Hiring an attorney well-versed in the yellow-light traffic laws of Texas can go a long way to helping you receive compensation for an accident with a driver who ran a yellow light.
Talk to Our Attorneys Today
If you’ve found yourself injured by a driver who negligently cruised through a yellow light, contact our lawyers at 512-474-4487 or reach out to our team online so we can assist you in your personal injury claim.
