Should you slow down or speed up at a yellow light? What Kansas and Missouri laws say
Drivers approaching traffic lights know green means go and red means stop. But the yellow light sandwiched in the middle?
People tend to interpret that in various ways.
And yellow lights give drivers just seconds to decide whether to slow down and stop or speed up and get through the intersection. The interval is supposed to last 3 to 6 seconds, according to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
The longer intervals are typically reserved for roads with higher speed limits.
A 2022 study by the National Library of Medicine found that drivers chose to pass yellow lights less in the daytime than at night. The study said this was because drivers could see the road’s conditions clearly while the sun is out.
So what are the laws in the Kansas City area?
Kansas and Missouri law on yellow traffic lights
Neither state says whether drivers should speed up or slow down when they see a yellow light.
Laws in both states merely warn drivers that a yellow light means a red light is coming soon, and that a red light means you stop.
This is what Kansas law states:
“Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection.”
And in Missouri:
“Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection.”
It’s recommended that drivers use caution when approaching a yellow light, according to driving tips site DriversEd.com.
Overland Park Police Department public information officer John Lacy echoed that sentiment.
“If you’re far back from the intersection and the light turns yellow, that does not mean ‘punch it, I gotta make the light,” Lacy said. “That means you need to come to a stop because the light is about to turn red.”
If you’re within the boundaries of the solid white line that separates lanes on the street at an intersection and the light turns yellow, Lacy said you should continue to drive forward. He also said if you’re behind that line and going the speed limit, you should stop because the light will turn red before you cross the intersection.
He added that you shouldn’t slam on the brakes and come to a stop if you’re within the white boundary line when the light is yellow; it’s safe to proceed and cross the intersection.
What are the penalties for running a red light?
Sometimes, a driver’s judgment on a traffic light’s timing is just a bit too late and they end up running a red light.
Both Kansas and Missouri hand out fines for drivers who run red lights. These fines vary from $75-500, in addition to the court costs.
According to Nolo Law, driving violations in Kansas may raise your insurance rates and you risk your license being suspended if you have more than three violations in a year.
Missouri operates on a points system, and violations like running red lights add two points every time it happens.
If you get eight or more points in 18 months, the Missouri Department of Revenue will suspend your driver’s license. The first suspension is 30 days, the second is 60 days and any following suspensions are 90 days
The Department of Revenue will suspend your driver’s license for one year if you accumulate:
- 12 or more points in 12 months
- 18 or more points in 24 months
- 24 or more points in 36 months
This story was originally published August 4, 2023 at 11:59 AM.
