Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

Ticket for running Redlight when it was Yellow

My husband was driving in Virgina and recieved a ticket for running a red light. He stated that he entered the intersection when the light was yellow.And recieved a ticket anyway. Subsequent to that I went and sat at the light. It goes from yellow to red in less than 3 seconds,Making it impossible to stop in time, if the light turns. The officer also stated on the ticket that my husband was female. Do I have grounds to fight this ticket


Asked on 10/09/03, 3:56 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Rafael Gomez Rafael Gomez, Attorney at Law, P.C.

Re: Ticket for running Redlight when it was Yellow

The only defense to entering intersection when light is still yellow is that it would be unsafe for the driver to stop at the yellow due to traffic conditions/weather conditions. For example, a car is very close behind your husband, traffic is congested, road is wet, and speed is, say, over 25mph. were he to stop, he would get rear-ended, cause accident and risk other drivers. That would be a legitimate defense. However, now it would be his word against that of the officer (unless he had a witness).

By the way, if he has a NJ driver's license, he will get 2 points if convicted.

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Answered on 10/10/03, 4:29 pm
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Ticket for running Redlight when it was Yellow

If the light turns yellow, the driver is suppose to stop and not enter the intersection; only proceeding if he is already in the intersection when it turns yellow. If your husband did not abide by the former rule, he has no defense to the charge, even if his gender has been mismarked on the ticket.

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Answered on 10/09/03, 7:12 pm


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