Red Light and Stop Sign Tickets in Vermont

Learn about Vermont’s red light and stop sign laws and the consequences of a violation.

If you get a stop sign or red light ticket in Vermont, you'll likely be looking at having to pay a fine and demerit points being assessed to your driving record. (Though you may have other options for dealing with your ticket.) This article gives an overview of what the law prohibits and some of the consequences of a stop sign or red light violation.

Making the Stop

Motorists approaching a stop sign or a signal exhibiting a red light (solid or flashing) must come to a complete stop prior to the nearest of entering the crosswalk, reaching a clearly marked stop line, or entering the intersection itself.

Right-On-Red Rule

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

Left-on-Red Rule

Some states don't allow left turns on red, regardless of the circumstances. However, in Vermont, drivers are permitted to turn left after stopping at a red light at the intersection of two one-way streets. In other words, a motorist can make a left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

Meaning of a Yellow Light

In some states, it's against the law to enter an intersection once the signal has turned yellow. In Vermont, however, a solid yellow light is just a warning that the signal 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.

Fines and Points for a Violation

A red light fine is usually around $220. And stop sign ticket will generally run about $160.

Generally, a stop sign or light conviction will add two demerit points to a motorist's driving record. A driver who accumulates too many points may face license suspension.

Depending on the circumstances, a red light or stop sign violation could lead to a negligent operation conviction. And a driver who runs a red signal or stop sign and causes a fatality may face vehicular manslaughter charges.

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