Half your car across the line when the traffic light turns red

Factual Questions
41

In Virginia, they have this cool thing, a yellow light that comes on before the red light. The law requires that “If you are able to safely stop before entering the intersection, you are required to do so.” So, your speed up thing is, in Virginia an actual violation of the law, even if you make it half way through.

Tris

Well, if you survive it, you’ll have thirty or forty seconds sit at the next light.

42

But as I said, that decision must be made in a split second and many times you make the wrong choice. Speeding up to clear the intersection and not be in the way of traffic that will soon have a green light is far better, IMHO, than slamming on the brakes and causing a pile up.

43

The green light the other way does not come on immediately. If you try to stop, and cannot avoid entering the intersection, you will have adequate time to pass through it. If you have sped up to “make it through” the intersection, you are violating the law in Virginia. Fifteen minutes getting your traffic ticket, and half a day for court will use up all the time you save over a lifetime trying to “make it through.” Try to stop. If you end up in the intersection, pull on through during the time between traffic movements.

Tris

44

If the car is going straight or planning to turn left, no reason. If the car is planning to make a right turn on red, being behind the crosswalk means you probably can’t see oncoming traffic on the cross street. Which means you wouldn’t turn and some idiot behind you will honk.

45

I’ve been told by a cop in Arkansas directly (and in my Driver’s Ed class, I believe) that, if one must clear the intersection upon the light turning red.

I am unsure if there is a law about attempting to beat a yellow light. I do remember being told not to try it in Driver’s Ed, though.

46

Same thing on the mainland, except it was me who T-boned a scooter. Traffic cameras are everywhere, and so I didn’t have to assume any responsibility.

47

Jenny: Are you crazy? You almost got us killed! You said you watched me, you said you knew the rules!
Starman: I do know the rules.
Jenny: Oh, for your information pal, that was a *yellow *light back there!
Starman: I watched you very carefully. Red light stop, green light go, yellow light go very fast.
—Starman (1984)

48

Around here, being partially into an intersection when the light turns red:

  • Automatic cameras: might snap your photo, but it never results in a citation.
  • If a cop witnesses it: You will be stopped. The cop will give you a stern talking-to. For such an agonizingly long time, that I think they are doing it deliberately.
    But you will be released with a caution (not even a formal “warning”), unless you committed any other infraction.
    Even something such as not correctly stopping when the cop pulls you over, failing to put on hazards when stopped if you are in the road, putting on hazards if stopped off the road, having a teensy-weensy chip visible on your windscreen, etc… They even measure your tire thread for depth. I’ve heard of breathalizer test being done, because “apparent erratic driving”.

Basically, the initial act is not an offense, but is an enormous red flag to the cop saying “i’m looking for trouble, please give me some”

49

Stopping over the line makes the light turn green faster. Also, inching forward while the light is still red. Don’t you know that?

/sarcasm

50

Try something different.
As you approach the light, taking into account your speed and other relevant conditions, pick a go/no go point.
If the light turns before you reach that point on the road, you stop, if not you just go.
The decision has already been made on the basis of that point and all you have to do is execute that premade decision.
Handling it that way tends to eliminate last second braking or acceleration and makes you look like you meant to do it.