Red Light Proof Issues: Other

What is a red light violation?

See Boulder Revised Code Section 7-4-3. A red light violation occurs when a vehicle fails to stop before the stop bar on the roadway after the signal light has turned red. 

If there is not a stop bar, the  driver must stop the vehicle before the marked crosswalk.  If there is not a stop bar or a crosswalk, the vehicle must stop before the "intersection" begins. 

Most photo red light violations are prosecuted because a vehicle has entered the intersection after the light has turned red.  The "intersection" is the area within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines of the two cross streets (see diagram below).

 

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If I am already in the intersection when the light turns red, will I get a citation?

It is illegal for your vehicle to enter the intersection after the light has turned red.  This is true even if you have passed the stop bar or the crosswalk. If you enter the intersection on a green or yellow light - to make a left hand turn, for instance - you will not be ticketed by the camera system.  In this situation, it is legal to safely proceed through the intersection even though the light turned red while you were still in the intersection.  It is good driving practice (and the law) not to enter an intersection unless you will be able to exit it before the light changes.

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What if the light was yellow?

The automated camera system activates only when a vehicle passes over the second sensor after the light has turned red, and continues into the intersection. It will not capture a vehicle if it enters the intersection by going over the sensors prior to the light changing to red.  You should not receive a ticket if you entered the "intersection" when the light was yellow.  Some people misperceive the position of their vehicle in relation to the signal light and believe they entered the "intersection" on a yellow light when in fact the light was red.

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The light in the photo of my violation looks yellow, why was I cited?

Sometimes a red light looks yellow in the photograph of the violation.  However, look at the position of the "yellow" light.  You will see that it is the top light. 

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How long is the yellow light?

In Boulder, the minimum length for a yellow light at intersections with red light cameras is 3.0 seconds, which is also the national standard.

A number of factors determine the length of a yellow light and each intersection is individually set following established guidelines established by the Institute for Transportation Engineers and adopted by the Federal Highway Administration in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

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Has the city shortened the timing of any yellow lights for this program?

None of the intersections with photo red light equipment had the signal timing of the yellow phase shortened prior to the installation of photo red light equipment.

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Can I turn right on a red light at a photo red light intersection?

Yes, unless there is a sign posted prohibiting right turns on red.  If no sign prohibits a right turn, you must come to a complete and discernable stop before the marked stop line and yield the right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk, if any, as well as other approaching traffic.

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Last Updated on Thursday, 07 June 2012 10:11