Can you drive through a yellow light in Georgia? Here’s what the law says

We’ve all been there: You’re coming up on a traffic light just as it turns yellow. Should you go through it? Or should you stop?

“A yellow light warns that the light is changing from green to red,” the Georgia Department of Driver Services says, adding that drivers should “slow down and prepare to stop.”

A flashing yellow light also requires drivers to slow down and proceed with caution, while a flashing yellow arrow means drivers may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic, according to DDS.

But what if you’re not able to stop in time?

Here’s what Georgia law says about driving through a yellow light:

 Is it legal to drive through a yellow light in Georgia? The short answer is yes.

‘“A motorist facing a yellow light can proceed through the intersection if it is unsafe to stop,” according to Georgia personal injury firm Butler Kahn. That driver also has the right-of-way. “If you cannot stop in time and can safely enter the intersection before the light turns red, you are not violating the law,” the law firm added.

Drivers who choose to accelerate through an intersection should be sure they can clear it before the light turns red. Cutting it too close could leave you floundering in the middle of an intersection — upping the risk of a traffic accident, legal experts say. It could also lead to a red light violation if you’re not fast enough.

“Disregard for a traffic signal is a misdemeanor in the State of Georgia,” Sgt. Christopher WIlliams with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office told McClatchy News in an email. “The driver of a motor vehicle could be issued a uniform traffic citation and or be held liable for a civil monetary penalty.”

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with The Telegraph.