Can you drive through a yellow light in WA or should you stop? Here’s what the law says
It feels like it happens nearly every time you get behind the wheel.
You’re approaching an intersection with a green light that suddenly switches to yellow. If you keep driving, you’ll probably just make it, but what if a police officer is nearby and sees you disregarding the yellow light as everyone else slows down?
Are you required to slow down and stop as soon as the yellow light pops up in Washington, or are you allowed to continue driving through as long as the light isn’t red?
Here’s what Washington state laws say on the matter.
Washington’s permissive yellow light law
Washington is in the majority regarding laws for a yellow light. The Evergreen State is one of about three dozen states that employs a “permissive yellow light law,” which means that as long as your front bumper is in the intersection while the light is still yellow, you’re safe to go.
So, in short, if you’re approaching an intersection and are confident that you’ll be in the intersection before the light hits red, you can keep cruising.
But that also doesn’t mean you should speed up over the speed limit to try and beat a red light. Doing so could still result in a speeding ticket if caught, according to the Revised Code of Washington, with ticket prices starting at $93.
How long does the light stay yellow?
If you’re debating whether or not to keep cruising through a light, Washington doesn’t have a specific outline on how long the yellow light must be displayed.
The Washington State Department of Transportation uses a program that determines the optimal time for each stage of the traffic signal, dependent on traffic. According to the WSDOT, green lights are programmed to “allow the greatest amount of traffic through,” while a yellow light is programmed to “allow drivers enough time to stop safely at the onset of yellow.”
What about if the light is flashing yellow?
Sometimes when there is construction, a malfunction with the sign, or it’s simply late at night when there’s not much traffic, you may come across a flashing yellow or red light.
A flashing yellow light means a driver may enter the intersection without stopping but with caution, according to Title 46, Chapter 61 of the Washington Revised Code. Meanwhile, a flashing red light means you must stop before entering the intersection and only proceed once it’s safe, and no other cars are approaching.
Punishment for running a red light
Sometimes you may wrongly judge the traffic light’s timing and enter the intersection once the light has already turned red.
Running a red light is an infraction in Washington and comes with a $124 fine.
This story was originally published August 1, 2023 at 10:19 AM.
