Running a red light: the timing is decisive for the penalty
Created: 08/12/2022, 16:23
By: Simon Mones
Anyone who commits a red light violation risks a high fine and points in Flensburg.
The decisive factor here is how long the traffic light was red.
Green means walking, red means standing.
Every child knows this simple sentence.
The same rules apply to drivers: If the traffic light is green, you can drive, if it is red, you have to wait.
Anyone who violates this and is caught will face a hefty fine.
However, it is not always a direct violation of a red light, but only when a road user starts or drives on despite the red traffic light, for example at the intersection.
The stop line plays a decisive role in this.
If this is crossed but the vehicle is brought to a standstill shortly behind it without crossing the protected area, this is merely a stop line infringement.
In this case, a warning fee of ten euros will be due.
If you drive through the red light and get caught, you face hefty fines and points in Flensburg.
© Brennweiteffm/Imago
Running a red light: the timing is decisive for the penalty
When crossing the red traffic light, there is again a distinction between a simple and a qualified red light violation.
A simple red light violation is when the traffic light is red for less than a second.
The catalog of fines provides for a fine of 90 euros and a point in the register of traffic offenders in Flensburg.
"If other road users are also endangered, other cars or objects are damaged, two points are due, the fine increases to up to 200 euros and there is a one-month driving ban," explains the ADAC.
If the traffic light is red for longer than one second, then it is a qualified red light violation.
In this case, the fine is 200 euros, there are also two points in Flensburg and a one-month driving ban.
If other road users are endangered or damage is caused, the fine increases to up to 320 euros.
Passing a red traffic light: Novice drivers must complete an advanced seminar
However, novice drivers are a special case.
A distinction is made here between A and B violations under driving license law.
Examples of A violations include drunk driving and speeding.
A red light violation also falls into this category, regardless of whether it is simple or qualified.
The result: In addition to the fine and the points, novice drivers have to take part in an advanced seminar.
If this is not completed, the driver's license can even be confiscated.
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A speed camera photo is also not necessary to determine a red light violation.
Even a police officer's emotional assessment is sufficient for a simple red light violation.
A qualified red light violation can only be proven with targeted red light monitoring, for example with a calibrated stopwatch.
Passing a red traffic light: Penalty already for yellow
Even driving over yellow traffic lights, which is popular with many drivers, is not permitted.
Even in this case it means: brake and bring the car to a standstill.
If you still cross the traffic light, there is a fine of 10 euros.
It gets really expensive when the speed camera also measures the speed, and then there can also be a fine for driving too fast.
A special case is the green arrow, which allows you to turn right at some traffic lights, even if they are actually red.
"Important: special attention must be paid to crossing traffic, pedestrians and cyclists," emphasizes the ADAC.
In addition, you must stop at the stop line, otherwise a fine of 70 euros and a point in Flensburg will be due.
But there is another exception: namely when emergency vehicles show up with blue lights and sirens.
If the path cannot be cleared to the right or left, careful entry into the intersection is permitted.
Passing a red traffic light: Special case "Stop here on red"
Caution should also be exercised with the additional sign "stop here on red".
This is used when a road joins from the right immediately before a traffic light.
In this case, there are usually two stop lines, the first in front of the traffic lights and the second in front of the junction.
If the sign is at the second stop line and this is crossed when the light is red, it is also a red light violation.
"There is therefore no risk of a fine if you drive past the junction.
In the event of an accident, however, you must be jointly liable
be expected,” writes the ADAC.