The rules of the road keep motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists safe. When someone disobeys these rules, they can cause a collision resulting in injury or death. In some cases, this disobedience happens when a road user bends the rules. For example, an impatient driver might run a red light, creating the risk of an intersection crash.
In other cases, drivers do not intend to violate traffic laws. Instead, it happens due to carelessness or ignorance. One example arises when drivers encounter intersections with flashing red or yellow lights. This situation occurs so infrequently that drivers may forget the rules and fail to yield to another vehicle with the right of way.
Rules for Traffic Signals in California
Traffic lights control the flow of traffic and reduce the risk of car accidents. When drivers face a solid red light, they must stop before entering the intersection behind the stop line or crosswalk. They must remain stopped until the signal changes to green. At that point, they can proceed after yielding to any traffic remaining in the intersection.
When the green signal changes to a solid yellow, the driver is warned that the light will imminently turn red. However, the law does not require drivers to stop or yield when facing a yellow signal. Instead, they must exercise reasonable care in deciding whether they can proceed with caution or should stop.
These rules change when the traffic lights flash:
Red Flashing Lights
According to California law, a red flashing light should be treated as a stop sign. The driver must stop before entering the intersection and wait until they have the right of way.
Thus, if the light is flashing red in all directions, the driver must treat it as a four-way stop, and they can proceed when anyone arriving before them has already done so. However, if the light is only flashing red in their direction, the driver will proceed only when traffic in the cross-direction has cleared.
Yellow Flashing Lights
A flashing yellow signal warns the driver to exercise caution. The driver can proceed if the way is clear. However, they should be prepared to stop if the traffic in the intersection has not cleared.
Handling Other Flashing Signals You Encounter in Santa Ana
Lights at intersections may flash for many reasons. Sometimes, a light will flash as a warning. For example, a flashing red light may warn drivers that the intersection has a stop sign. Similarly, a flashing yellow light may indicate to drivers that they should exercise caution at the bottom of a hill.
Flashing yellow or red lights are also used in combination with warning signs. Railroad crossings display flashing red lights when a train is approaching. School buses also use flashing red lights to warn drivers not to pass while the bus is stopped. In these cases, the flashing red lights require drivers to stop until they turn off.
School and work zones may be marked with flashing yellow lights. These lights often draw the driver’s attention to the speed limit signs. The driver can continue, but they must follow the special rules that apply there to avoid causing a pedestrian accident.
Who Holds Liability for Crashes at Flashing Lights?
The liability for California car accidents is typically determined based on negligence. A driver is negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable care.
For example, if a distracted driver did not see a flashing red light at an intersection, they will likely be liable if they cause a crash. The same rule applies if a driver sees the light but is unsure of what to do. A reasonably prudent driver would be aware of the rules for flashing lights at an intersection.
Contact Our Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The rules for intersections with flashing lights are relatively straightforward. However, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists may inadvertently violate the rules out of ignorance. Therefore, you should always exercise caution at intersections with flashing lights and assume that other drivers may not be familiar with the rules.
If you need help after an intersection crash involving flashing lights, call the Santa Ana car accident lawyers at Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers.
Robles Babaee, Personal Injury Lawyers
1851 E 1st St Suite 810, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 263-3700