Can you turn right on Ted in NC?

If you pull up to a red arrow, waiting to make a right turn, you may be tempted to turn through the arrow if the traffic is clear. Can you do this or not?

There has been some confusion over the rule in recent years, but the basic answer is that you cannot turn on a red arrow. Even if you are turning right, you have to wait for the green to make the turn.

Some exceptions do exist, which is one reason for the confusion. You may have a sign telling you that a right turn is permitted after you come to a stop and check to make sure that all traffic has crossed through on the perpendicular road. If you have this sign, then you can turn. Otherwise, you should assume that you cannot.

Another reason for the confusion is that the law changed in 2012, but no one bothered to notify drivers within the state. Many in the government did not even know. They thought it was legal to turn, as it used to be, but the 2012 change means that it is not.

What happens if you turn anyway? The police can pull you over and give you a ticket for an illegal turn. The fine is $25. On top of that, you have to pay court costs.

Drivers are often expected to know the law, even if lawmakers have not made it very clear. If you find yourself facing tickets, fines and other ramifications when you thought you did nothing wrong, make sure you know what steps to take.

North Carolina drivers who get caught running a stop sign or stop light have a number of options for dealing with their ticket. But drivers who admit fault or are convicted after a trial will likely have to pay a fine. Red light and stop sign violations also add demerit points to a motorist's driving record. This article gives an outline of what the law prohibits and some of the specific consequences of a stop sign or red light ticket.

Making the Stop

Generally, when approaching a stop sign or stop light (whether solid or flashing red), drivers must come to a complete stop prior to the nearest of entering the crosswalk, reaching a marked stop line, or entering the intersection itself.

Right-On-Red Rule

As long as there's no sign prohibiting it, North Carolina law permits drivers to make right turns after stopping at a red light. However, drivers need to use caution and follow the normal right-of-way rules when making a right on red.

Left-on-Red Rule

Unlike some other states, North Carolina doesn't allow motorists to make a left turn on red.

Meaning of a Yellow Light

In some states, it's illegal to enter an intersection if the light is yellow. In North Carolina, however, a solid yellow light is just a warning that the light is about to turn red. In other words, you can enter an intersection while the light is still yellow, just not after it has turned red.

Special Rules for Motorcycles

Some intersections are equipped with sensors that detect when a vehicle is present at a red light and trigger the signal to switch to green. Sometimes, these sensors don't detect motorcycles because of their size or weight. So, North Carolina law provides motorcyclists with a defense to a red light ticket. Motorcyclists who are cited for running a light can establish the defense by showing:

• they first came to a complete stop at the light
• before advancing, they waited at least three minutes at the light
• no other vehicle had the right-of-way at the intersection, and
• no pedestrians were attempting to cross at the intersection.

Red Light Cameras

North Carolina law permits jurisdictions within the state to use automated cameras at intersections to catch red light violators. However, jurisdictions that use red light cameras must install signs indicating to motorists that red law cameras are in use.

Red light cameras tickets are mailed to the owner of the vehicle. The owner is generally responsible for paying the citation. However, an owner can avoid having to pay the ticket by providing an affidavit to the jurisdiction that issued the ticket that states:

• the name and address of the person or company who had the care, custody, and control of the vehicle when the violation occurred, or
• the vehicle was stolen and being operated by the thief at the time of the violation.

Red light cameras violations are civil offenses as opposed to traffic infractions. The fine for a red light camera ticket is $50 ($100 if not paid on time). Red light camera violations won't add points to a motorist's driving record or affect insurance rates.

Fines and Points for Violations

Generally, stop sign and red light violations are infractions in North Carolina. Convicted motorists are looking at a maximum fine of $100. However, court costs can increase the amount the driver actually has to pay.

A stop sign or red light conviction will add three demerit points to a motorist's driving record. A driver who accumulates 12 or more points within a three-year period faces license suspension. However, eligible drivers can get a three-point reduction by completing a "driver improvement clinic."

Depending on the circumstances, a red light or stop sign violation could also lead to a reckless driving conviction. And a driver who runs a red signal or stop sign and causes a fatality may face "misdemeanor death-by-vehicle" charges.

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