Posted by duijim in on April 20, 2018
Statistics indicate that each year in the United States, 90,000 people are injuries and 1,000 people are killed due to traffic accidents in which a motor vehicle driver runs a red light. Being issued a ticket for running a red light in the state of Georgia can occur in a variety of ways.
Red light violations can be detected by cameras that are positioned on traffic lights and photograph motor vehicle drivers committing the act or violations can be directly observed by Georgia law enforcement officers. Running a red light can result in a variety of penalties including significant fines and increased insurance rates.
Many individuals in Atlanta and the surrounding counties have discovered that retaining the services of a skilled Georgia traffic lawyer like the legal counsel at Yeargan , Barber & Kert can prove particularly beneficial in fighting a red light ticket.
Resulting Penalties for Running a Red Light
If a red light camera captures a driver running a red light, the driver’s photograph will be taken, and the driver will be sent a citation and fine through the mail. For motor vehicle drivers who are stopped by law enforcement, this type of stop will occur in the same way as any other traffic violation.
The offense of running a red light in the state of Georgia carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and three points on an individual’s driver’s license. The accumulation of a certain amount of points on an individual’s driver’s license can result in the suspension and sometimes even revocation of that individual’s driver’s license.
Available Defenses to Respond to a Red Light Violation
Individuals who are charged with running a red light are able to raise one of several types of defenses, which include the following:
- Inadequate Timing: Motor vehicle drivers can argue that a yellow light was not long enough in duration, so the driver ended up in the middle of an intersection while the light turned red. Individuals can also argue that a traffic light camera was not set to take a picture of the driver at the right time.
- Not Safe to Stop: A large vehicle following closely behind a driver or one of many other types of circumstances may prevent an individual from stopping safely at a red light.
- Poor View: If a law enforcement officer was not in a position to observe a motor vehicle driver stopping for a red light or the traffic light camera did not capture the license tag and color of the light as required, then a motor vehicle driver can likely create a strong defense based upon the element of poor visibility.
Contact a Talented Atlanta Traffic Attorney
If you need assistance responding to a red light violation, consider retaining the services of an experienced Atlanta traffic attorney like those at the legal team at Yeargan , Barber & Kert LLC. We know how to help negotiate for the best possible results, including reduced points on your license. Do not hesitate to contact our law firm today.