Traffic signals and red light running

Key points

1. Speeding up to beat a yellow light is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Speeding up to “beat the light” is illegal and could cause a crash.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 34

2. Where not prohibited, you may turn right on red after a complete stop when traffic and pedestrians are clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Where not prohibited by signs, a right turn may be made after coming to a complete stop, when motor traffic and pedestrian traffic are clear.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 34

3. Before turning right on red, stop completely before the marked or unmarked crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “When turning right at a red light, you must first stop completely before reaching the marked or unmarked crosswalk.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 47

4. A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 35

5. A lighted red arrow means you may not turn in that direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A lighted red arrow means that you may not turn in the direction of the arrow.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 35

6. At a flashing yellow arrow, yield to any oncoming vehicle or pedestrian before turning.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Yield the right-of-way to any oncoming vehicle or pedestrian before making your turn.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 35

7. Treat a dead signal as a 4 way stop; if two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “treat it as you would a 4-way stop. Come to a complete stop before entering the intersection and then proceed when the roadway is clear. If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at about the same time, both must stop and the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield the rightof-way to the driver on the right.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 35

8. A red light conviction requires Traffic Survival School.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “upon conviction of that violation you will be required to attend Traffic Survival School.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 38

9. Running a red light and causing life threatening injuries can bring a $500 fine and a 3 month suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “If you run a red light and cause a crash that results in life-threatening injuries to another driver or passenger, you may be fined up to $500 and your driving privilege may be suspended for three months.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 38

10. Running a red light and causing a death can bring a $1,000 fine and a 6 month suspension.

    Source: Handbook p. 38

    “If you cause a crash that results in the death of another driver or passenger, you may be fined up to $1,000 and your driving privilege may be suspended for six months.”
    Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 38

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Arizona practice test

1. 1. At a steady red light, when may you make a right turn where signs do not prohibit it?

   1. After slowing without stopping if no car is visible
   2. After a complete stop, when motor and pedestrian traffic are clear
   3. Immediately if the cross street is empty
   4. Only after the light changes to yellow
   Show answer

   After a complete stop, when motor and pedestrian traffic are clear. A steady red signal requires a complete stop before the intersection, stop line, or crosswalk. If a sign does not prohibit the movement, a right turn may follow that stop only when motor traffic and pedestrians are clear. Slowing without stopping does not satisfy the signal, and an empty-looking cross street does not remove the required stop. Waiting for yellow is unnecessary and may create a new conflict. Stop first, scan for people and vehicles, then turn only when the intersection is open and the movement is allowed.

2. 2. What must you do at a flashing red traffic signal before proceeding?

   1. Slow only and continue without stopping
   2. Wait for a green arrow in every case
   3. Come to a full stop, then proceed cautiously when clear
   4. Yield without making a complete stop
   Show answer

   Come to a full stop, then proceed cautiously when clear. A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign. Come to a full stop, then proceed with caution only after the roadway is clear. Merely slowing leaves the stop requirement unmet, and a green arrow is not required for every movement after the stop. Treating the signal like a yield sign also understates the rule. Use the stop line or crosswalk as the stopping reference, look for conflicting traffic and pedestrians, and then continue when the intersection offers a safe opening.

3. 3. What follows an Arizona conviction for running a red light or flashing red light?

   1. Required attendance at Traffic Survival School
   2. A written warning
   3. Automatic license revocation
   4. A vehicle impound
   Show answer

   Required attendance at Traffic Survival School. If you run a red light or a flashing red light and receive a citation, upon conviction you will be required to attend Traffic Survival School. The consequences climb when a crash results: under ARS 28-672, causing serious physical injury brings a suspension or restriction of 90 to 180 days, and causing a death brings 180 days to one year. A warning, automatic revocation, or impound is not the standard result of a simple red light conviction.

Source: the Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Section 3: Roadway and Vehicle Knowledge. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.