WGK Personal Injury Lawyers | May 23, 2025 | Car Accidents
Have you ever encountered an intersection in Baltimore where the light was flashing yellow or red? This is a common occurrence in some parts of the city, especially late at night or in the early hours of the morning. It is important for both residents and visitors to the area to understand what these signals mean to avoid red and yellow light accidents.
What Does a Flashing Red Light Mean at an Intersection?
If you see a flashing red light on a traffic signal, you should treat the intersection like a stop sign. You should bring your vehicle to a complete stop at a clearly marked stop line if one exists. If no line is available, stop before entering a crosswalk or the intersection.
After you have stopped, you should look both ways and then continue through the intersection once it is safe to proceed. Make sure you’re aware that the perpendicular lane will often not be required to stop. If this is the case, you should yield to anyone in that lane. However, if that lane is required to stop, you can proceed as if you are at a four-way stop.
Flashing red lights are usually used to convert a traffic light-controlled intersection into a stop sign during hours when few cars are on the road. These lights may also be used when the green or yellow lenses malfunction.
What Does a Flashing Yellow Light Mean?
At an intersection, a flashing yellow light means that you should yield to the other lane of traffic. It is best to think of a flashing yellow light as being identical to a yield sign.
Typically, if one direction has a flashing yellow light, then the other direction will have a flashing red light. However, you should confirm this before proceeding through the intersection.
Flashing yellow lights are often used in the same situations as flashing red lights. The road that sees more traffic usually has the flashing yellow, while the other one has the flashing red.
Ignoring a Flashing Yellow or Red Light
If you ignore a flashing red light, you can risk getting into a car accident. These intersection accidents can also occur when you ignore a flashing yellow light. A flashing yellow light means you should yield, so if you don’t do so, the other driver may have to act quickly to prevent an accident.
Accidents aren’t the only potential consequence of ignoring a flashing light. You can also potentially receive a traffic violation when you ignore a flashing light.
The penalty for failing to stop at a red light in Maryland is typically a ticket that can place two points on your license. Two points may not seem significant, but if you get five points in a two-year span, you may be required to enroll in a driver improvement program. At eight points, your license can be suspended.
That ticket will also cost you financially. Not only will you have to pay the cost of the ticket, but depending on your insurance policy, your premiums may also increase.
Staying Safe on Baltimore Roads
A flashing red or yellow light is one of many traffic signals that control the right-of-way and help prevent car accidents. These signals are relatively straightforward, and all drivers are expected to follow them. When you abide by traffic signals like these, you help keep yourself and all others on the road in Baltimore safe.
Contact the Maryland Personal Injury Law Firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information contact the Maryland personal injury law firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080