Traffic signs and lights help control the flow of vehicles at an intersection. Drivers generally need to follow all posted signs and defer to the lights at an intersection when determining how to proceed.
Few things are as frustrating as needing to wait at an intersection for a light to turn green when there are no other vehicles anywhere close. A rolling stop occurs when a driver slows down as they approach an intersection. Instead of fully stopping, they continue driving after verifying there is no oncoming traffic.
Do drivers have the option of proceeding through an intersection without stopping if there are no other vehicles approaching the same intersection?
Rolling stops are always illegal
State traffic statutes are very clear. If traffic lights or signs indicate that a motorist should stop, they must come to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection. Even in the absence of any other traffic, stopping is mandatory.
These rules exist to prevent collisions. Consistent compliance with traffic safety rules can significantly reduce the likelihood of a devastating car crash. If police officers spot a driver rolling through a stop sign or a red light at an intersection, they may very well pull the driver over and issue them a citation.
A lack of oncoming traffic is unlikely to convince an officer to forego issuing a ticket. Similarly, a lack of traffic is typically not a defense if the driver chooses to fight the ticket.
Motorists can sometimes fight their citations. Reviewing the circumstances leading to a red light traffic ticket may help motorists who want to avoid costly citations and secondary consequences.