ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Central Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.
Trooper Steve on Tuesday was asked, “I got a warning for failing to stop at a steady red signal. I am certain that when I entered the intersection the signal was yellow. Should I contest it?”
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Trooper Steve said you would never have to contest a warning.
“Warnings do not go on your driving record and there’s no penalty assessed with it,” he said. “This is only documented with the agency that has issued you the warning, so do your best not to be pulled over by the same agency again.”
Trooper Steve said the other part of the viewer’s question that stood out was the portion about the yellow light.
“A lot of drivers feel they cannot be cited for violating a yellow traffic signal. However, there are times when a driver can get a law enforcement officer’s attention when traveling through such a signal,” he said. “The yellow signal is a yield indicator, and drivers should do just that.”
If a driver accelerates through a yellow light, then technically they would not be yielding.
“When traveling and the light turns yellow, as you are already in the intersection, common sense would state that the driver did not know that the light was turning yellow,” Trooper Steve said. “On the other hand, if the light has been yellow for quite some time and a driver speeds through that signal, this would indicate that the driver failed to yield.”
He added that every situation is a case-by-case basis.
“I would be glad if I got a warning and learn from this encounter,” he said.
If you have a question for Trooper Steve, submit it here.
For more Ask Trooper Steve content, click or tap here.