Running a Red Light or Stop Sign: State Laws

As a licensed driver, you already know what green lights, yellow lights, and red lights mean. You also know what to do when you approach a stop sign. Yet, police officers write traffic citations for stop sign and red light violations every day.

Red light and stop sign violations are moving violations. These infractions can result from several driving maneuvers. Some of these include:

  • Not stopping long enough at a stop sign ("California stop" or "rolling stop")
  • Entering an intersection while a stop light changes from a yellow signal to a red signal
  • Disobeying right-on-red rules
  • Not stopping before a stop line or blocking a crosswalk or intersection

Use the table at the end of this article to find your state's specific traffic control device laws.

Traffic Control Statutes

All states carry traffic laws requiring "obedience to traffic control signals and devices" (or similarly worded language). This means motorists must observe and obey all traffic lights and stop signs when operating a vehicle.

The most common traffic violation associated with traffic control signals and devices is running a red light or stop sign. This happens when a driver proceeds through an intersection:

  • While a red light (or red turn arrow) shows on a traffic signal or
  • Without coming to a complete stop and following right-of-way requirements when there is a stop sign

All states (except New York City and select other large cities) have "turn-on-red" exceptions. While making a right turn at a red light is OK, drivers must still make a full stop before turning. You are also required to yield to any pedestrians in the intersection. This exception does not apply if there is a posted sign forbidding it.

Red Light Camera Tickets

Some jurisdictions use traffic cameras (or red light cameras) to take photos or video of drivers in the intersection. This means you can get a red-light ticket without law enforcement stopping you. Red light cameras are typically considered automated traffic law enforcement in the states that allow their use.

Red light cameras typically use various methods to identify the vehicle and the driver. These can include:

  • License plate recognition technology
  • Intersection sensors
  • Timestamps

The information captured is then typically reviewed by police (or another automated system) to verify if a violation happened. If confirmed, the registered owner of the vehicle gets a citation.

While it depends on your area's rules and enforcement, you will typically get a notice in the mail if a traffic camera catches you running a red light. This notice will include a citation and information about the violation. It may also include an image or video still showing the infraction.

The penalties are usually the same as if you got pulled over and issued a citation for the same violation. You can expect a fine and points on your driving record. Depending on the nature of the violation, you could also see an increase in your car insurance premiums.

Several states either ban or restrict the use of red light cameras. Use the chart below to check your state's specific laws.

Red Light and Stop Sign Statutes

Below is a list of red light and stop-sign laws for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For full traffic laws and statutes, visit FindLaw's State Traffic Laws section.

State Statute  
Alabama Obedience to traffic-control devices (AL Code 32-5A-31)
Alaska Negligent Driving (AK Statutes 28.35.45)
Arizona Obedience to and required traffic control devices (ARS 28-644)
Arkansas Definitions of signals (AR Code Title 27, Ch. 52, Article 107)
California Offenses Relating to Traffic Devices (California Vehicle Code Sections 21450 - 21468)
Colorado Obedience to official traffic control devices (CRS 42-4-603)
Connecticut Traffic control signals; Right turn on red (GSC section 14-299)
Delaware Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings (DE Code Title 21, Ch. 41, Subchapter II)
District of Columbia Traffic control signs: vehicles (D.C. Vehicle Code, Section 18-2103)
Florida Traffic control signal devices (FS 316.075)
Georgia Meaning of traffic signals (Georgia Code 40-6-21)
Hawaii Obedience to and required traffic control devices (HRS section 291C-31)
Idaho Obedience to and required traffic control devices (ID Statutes section 49-801)
Illinois Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings (625 ILCS 5/11-301 to 5/11-313)
Indiana Traffic Control Signals (Indiana Code 9-21-3-7)
Iowa Obedience to official traffic control devices (IA Code section 321.256)
Kansas Official traffic control devices; required obedience (KS Statutes 8-1507)
Kentucky Traffic control signals (KRS 189.338)
Louisiana Obedience to and required traffic control devices (LRS 32:231)
Traffic control signals (LRS 32:232)
Maine Traffic control devices (MRS Title 29-A section 2057)
Maryland Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings (MD Transportation Code, Title 21-202)
Massachusetts Traffic control signs and devices (89 MGL section 9)
Michigan Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings (MI Vehicle Code sections 257.608 to 257.616a)
Minnesota Signs, signals, and markings (MN Statute 169.06)
Mississippi Traffic signs, signals, and makings (MS Code Title 63, Ch. 3 scroll to Article 7)
Missouri Observance of traffic-control devices (MRS 304.271)
Rules for traffic when controlled by light signals (MRS 304.281)
Montana Obedience to traffic control devices (MCA section 61-8-201)
Nebraska Obedience to traffic control devices; exceptions (Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,119)
Nevada Obedience to devices for control of traffic (Nevada Revised Statutes Title 43, 484B.307)
New Hampshire Obedience to any required traffic control devices (NH Statutes 265:9)
New Jersey Traffic control devices; drivers' obedience (NJ Statutes 39:4-120.9)
Traffic signals; observance (NJ Statutes 39:4-81)
New Mexico Obedience to any required traffic-control devices (NMS 66-7-104)
New York Traffic signs, signals, and markings (NY Vehicle & Traffic Code Article 24)
North Carolina Vehicle control signs and signals (NCGS section 20-158)
North Dakota Obedience to and required traffic-control devices (ND Code 39-10-04)
Ohio Obeying Traffic Control Devices (ORC section 4511.12)
Oklahoma Obedience to and required traffic control devices (OK Statute 47-11-201)
Oregon Traffic control devices (OR Vehicle Code Title 59, 811.2
Pennsylvania Obedience to traffic control devices (PA Statutes Title 75, Ch. 31, Subchapter B-3111)
Traffic control signals (PA Statutes Title 75, Ch. 31, Subchapter B-3112)
Automated red light enforcement systems (PA Statutes Title 75, Ch. 31, Subchapter B-3117)
Rhode Island Meaning of traffic control devices (RI General Laws 31-13-6)
South Carolina Obedience to and required traffic-control devices (SC Code scroll to section 56-5-950)
South Dakota Traffic Control Devices (SD Codified Laws Ch. 32-28)
Tennessee Obedience to any required traffic control device (TN Code section 55-8-110)
Texas Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings (TX Transp. Code Ch. 544)
Utah Obeying Devices (UT Code 41-6a-304)
Vermont Obedience to traffic-control devices (23 VSA section 1021)
Virginia Traffic lights; penalty (VA Code 46.2-833)
Washington Obedience to and required traffic control devices (RCW section 46.61.050)
West Virginia Obedience to traffic control devices (WV Code section 17C-3-4)
Wisconsin Traffic control signal markings (WI Vehicles Statutes Ch. 346.37)
Wyoming Obedience to devices; exceptions (WY Statutes 31-5-402)
Signal legend generally (WY Statutes 31-5-403)

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.

Ticketed for Running a Red Light? Get Help from a Traffic Ticket Attorney

Fighting a traffic ticket on your own isn't easy. Traffic laws and traffic court procedures can be confusing and overwhelming. Consider speaking with an experienced local traffic ticket lawyer about your case today.

A skilled attorney can help you develop the best defense to fight your citation. This can prevent points on your driving record, a costly fine, and a spike in your auto insurance rates. Depending on the circumstances and existing demerits on your record, it could even save you from a driver's license suspension.

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