As of: April 3, 2024, 7:11 p.m
By: Hannah Blanket
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Driving through a red light is not only dangerous, but also forbidden. However, there are exceptions in which you can actually drive “through red”.
Hamm - A red light violation is quite expensive. According to the catalog of fines, anyone who is caught driving will pay at least 90 euros and get one point in Flensburg. In severe cases there may even be a driving ban. But there are exceptions,
reports
wa.de.
Driving through a red light is allowed in some situations
Most road users are probably familiar with the first situation in which it is allowed to drive through a red light: If there is a green arrow sign next to a traffic light, you are allowed to turn right despite the red light. However, it is important that car, truck and bicycle drivers stop at the stop line beforehand - not just before the intersection - and check whether they can turn safely. This is especially important because pedestrians may cross the street because the traffic light is green for them.
When it is allowed to drive through a red light: Emergency vehicles are approaching
The second situation is quite rare, but occurs again and again in traffic: a red traffic light can be crossed if space has to be made for an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and a siren. The prerequisite, of course, is that the road user cannot avoid it otherwise. The stop line should then be crossed carefully. The ADAC advises: “After the emergency vehicles have passed, wait behind the stop line for green or drive back again, if possible.”
When it is allowed to drive through red: The traffic light is broken
The third situation in which there is an exception to a red light violation is a broken traffic light. “If the red traffic light does not turn green again after a long time, the traffic light is probably broken,” says the ADAC. In this case, a road user may drive carefully into the intersection after “sufficient waiting time”. The ADAC gives three to five minutes as a guideline for the waiting time.
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If that seems very short to you now, you should take a look at your watch soon when you stand in front of a red light. The waiting time often seems much longer than it actually is. Road users should therefore be patient and not assume too quickly that a traffic light is broken. Otherwise you risk a red light violation.
Did you run a red light because of an emergency vehicle – and were you flashed?
Speaking of red light violations: Anyone who gives way to an emergency vehicle on the road and runs a red light does not have to worry about a fine, even if they were caught by a traffic light or red light speed camera.
All emergency trips by the police, rescue services and fire brigade are logged. However, road users should also make a note of the intersection and the exact time of the incident in case they receive a fine. Then you have all the arguments on your side.
By the way, there is a big misconception about the yellow traffic light. Almost every driver makes a mistake every day - and risks a fine.