Is it OK in Ohio to drive through yellow traffic lights? Here’s what the law says
A yellow light means slow down, right? Or does it mean go faster? Well, all of us get confused sometimes, but the traffic laws in Ohio are pretty clear. Here’s what yellow lights mean and if it’s OK to drive through them or not:
Is it OK to drive through a yellow light in Ohio?
Well, sort of. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, a yellow light means “the color is about to change to red; use caution. Prepare to stop.”
The law specifically states that a yellow light means that movement is about to stop and drivers should not enter the intersection when the light is red.
But what happens if there’s not enough time to stop or what if stopping could possibly cause an accident?
“If you cannot stop in time and can safely enter the intersection before the light turns red, you are not violating the law,” said experts at the Butler Kahn law firm.
You’re not violating the law in this case because traffic has not already started on the other side of the intersection via a green light.
Do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
