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Red Light and Stop Sign Violations in Tacoma
Becoming familiar with traffic signal laws is essential for every driver in Pierce County. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign might seem like a small mistake, but in Washington State, these are serious infractions that can have significant legal and financial consequences. Below, we explore two common types of violations, red light tickets and stop sign citations, and the laws that govern them.
At The Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe, our team of dedicated Tacoma traffic attorneys have been helping resident drivers fight back against unfair citations for more than 60 collective years. We offer a free consultation, so start getting answers today.
A traffic lawyer’s experience should include more than familiarity with the statutes. Top-rated attorney Jason S. Newcombe has spent more than 30 years actually handling cases in Washington courtrooms. A former prosecutor, Jason has represented drivers facing everything from ordinary speeding citations to negligent driving, reckless driving, hit and run, and DUI allegations.
Over the last two decades alone, he has successfully fought thousands of traffic tickets throughout the Greater Puget Sound region. Jason is an award-winning Super Lawyer, holds a perfect Avvo rating of “Superb,” and has accumulated more than 300 positive reviews from clients over more than a decade.
Tacoma Traffic Looks Different Depending on Where You Are Driving
Where you received your ticket can matter almost as much as what the officer says you did.
Tacoma sits at the intersection of several major regional routes. I-5 carries enormous volumes of traffic through the city, while SR 16 connects Tacoma with the Narrows Bridge and the Kitsap Peninsula. I-705 funnels vehicles between I-5, downtown Tacoma, the Tacoma Dome, and the waterfront.
Pacific Avenue also serves as SR 7, creating a heavily traveled north-south route between Tacoma and communities farther south. Tacoma’s transportation planning documents identify I-5, I-705, SR 16, SR 7, SR 167, SR 509, and SR 163 among the city’s important state and interstate routes.
Once you leave the freeways, the driving environment changes quickly.
You may find yourself navigating Pacific Avenue, South Tacoma Way, Portland Avenue, Sprague Avenue, Union Avenue, Pearl Street, or Schuster Parkway. Major east-west streets such as 6th Avenue, South 12th Street, South 19th Street, South 38th Street, and South 56th Street move substantial amounts of local traffic between Tacoma neighborhoods and the regional highway system.
Those differences can become relevant in a red-light or stop-sign case. A signalized intersection near a busy I-5 interchange may involve multiple turn lanes, merging traffic, buses, pedestrians, and drivers watching overhead signs. A stop sign on a residential street in the North End may present a completely different issue involving parked cars, vegetation, hills, or a limited sight line.
If you were cited for running a red light or failing to stop, identify exactly where it happened. The road configuration, stop-line placement, traffic signal, surrounding vehicles, visibility, and officer’s viewing position can all help provide context for what occurred during those few seconds.
Red Light Traffic Tickets
Red light violations are among the most frequently issued traffic citations in Washington. In Tacoma, these infractions often occur at high-traffic intersections and are sometimes caught by red light cameras.
RCW 46.61.050 – This statute requires drivers to obey all official traffic control devices. When approaching a yellow light, drivers understand that a red light is imminent, but Washington has permissive yellow light laws, which means if your front bumper is already in the intersection when the light turns red, you’re unlikely to get a ticket. However, speeding up to “make” the yellow light, could result in a ticket.
“The driver of any vehicle, a person operating a bicycle, and every pedestrian shall obey, and the operation of every personal delivery device shall follow the instructions of any official traffic control device…”
RCW 46.61.055 – This law clarifies how drivers must behave when approaching a traffic control signal showing red, yellow, or green. If the traffic light turns from yellow to red before your front bumper reaches the intersection, you could get a red light traffic ticket.
“Vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection control area and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown.”
RCW 46.63.220 – Governs the use of automated traffic safety cameras, including red light cameras. Cameras are used to catch drivers who speed up to “make” yellow lights or who are driving too fast and end up running the red light.
“Any city or county may authorize the use of automated traffic safety cameras… to enforce traffic ordinances as authorized in this subsection.”
If you’re caught running a red light in Tacoma, whether by an officer or a camera, you could face a fine of $136 or more. These infractions are reportable to the Department of Licensing and can raise your insurance rates.
Stop Sign Traffic Tickets
Ignoring a stop sign isn’t just dangerous—it’s a clear violation of Washington traffic law and can result in a costly citation.
RCW 46.61.190 – Requires drivers approaching a stop sign to stop before entering the intersection. Roll-in stops are not considered stops. You are supposed to come to a complete stop.
“Every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop… at a clearly marked stop line…”
RCW 47.36.060 – Outlines the authority and placement of stop signs and traffic control devices by local jurisdictions.
“Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions shall place and maintain such traffic devices upon public highways under their jurisdiction as are necessary to carry out the provisions of the law or local traffic ordinances or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.”
A stop sign violation in Pierce County typically carries a base fine of approximately $136. However, the penalty may be higher in school zones or if the infraction causes an accident. Like red light tickets, these are moving violations and are recorded on your driving record.
Why Legal Guidance Matters
If you’ve been cited for running a red light or failing to stop at a sign in Tacoma or elsewhere in Pierce County, it’s crucial to understand your options. A Tacoma traffic ticket lawyer can help you explore whether you qualify for mitigation, deferral, or dismissal. Don’t risk higher insurance premiums or a blemished record—take proactive steps to protect your license.
Penalties for Red Light and Stop Sign Tickets
The penalties for these types of citations extend beyond the ticket itself. In addition to the base fines, you may face:
- Increased insurance premiums
- Accumulation of tickets on your driving record
- Possible license suspension for repeated violations
To learn more about penalties, visit the Washington State Court’s Infraction Penalty Schedule.
Your Response Should Match the Ticket You Actually Received
A red-light ticket and a stop-sign ticket may both involve an intersection, but you should not approach them exactly the same way.
If you were cited for running a red light in Tacoma, start by reconstructing the timing. Think about where your vehicle was when the signal changed, whether you entered on yellow, whether you were turning, and where the officer was positioned. If you have dashcam footage, preserve it immediately. Photographs of the signal, stop line, lane configuration, and intersection can also help you understand what the officer could see.
A stop-sign citation requires a different investigation. Your attention should usually turn to whether you made a complete stop, where that stop occurred, and whether the officer had an unobstructed view of the required stopping point. If you stopped at the line and then moved forward to see approaching traffic, that sequence may be particularly important.
Once you understand the evidence, you can make a more informed decision about how to respond. Depending on your circumstances, that could mean requesting a contested hearing, seeking mitigation, or considering whether you qualify for a deferred finding.
Do not choose based solely on which option sounds easiest. If you believe the Tacoma citation is wrong, examine the evidence before giving up your opportunity to challenge it. If you believe the violation occurred, you can still explore available resolutions before simply paying the ticket.
The right response begins with understanding exactly what happened at that intersection.
Court Procedures in Pierce County
Traffic citations in Tacoma are typically processed through the Pierce County District Court. Depending on the issuing agency, your case may be handled at the Tacoma courthouse or another branch.
If you’ve received a ticket, you generally have 30 days to respond. You can choose to:
- Pay the fine
- Request a mitigation hearing to explain the circumstances
- Request a contested hearing to dispute the ticket
Failing to respond can result in additional fees, referral to collections, or a suspended driver’s license.
Other Potential Consequences
Red light and stop sign violations don’t just affect your wallet—they can have long-lasting implications. Accumulating multiple citations could disqualify you from deferred findings or mitigation options. If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), even a single infraction can impact your livelihood.
In some cases, traffic school or defensive driving courses may be required or recommended to prevent further penalties.
For a detailed overview of the Department of Licensing’s role in traffic violations, visit the Washington DOL Driving Record Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Light and Stop Sign Tickets in Tacoma
1. What if the traffic light turned red after I had already entered the intersection?
The timing of the signal change can be an important part of your case. Washington law distinguishes between entering an intersection against a steady red signal and entering while facing a different signal indication, so determining where your vehicle was when the light changed may matter. If you remember entering on yellow, tell your attorney exactly what happened rather than assuming the later red signal proves the violation.
2. Can I get a stop-sign ticket even though I know I stopped?
Yes, because the officer may believe you failed to make a complete stop or stopped somewhere other than the location required by Washington law. A Tacoma traffic attorney can examine the officer’s account, the location of the stop line, the officer’s viewing position, and other evidence to determine whether the observation supports the citation.
3. Does pulling forward after stopping make it look like I ran the stop sign?
It can, particularly when an officer cannot clearly see the original stopping point. You might stop at the marked line and then move forward because parked vehicles, vegetation, road geometry, or other obstructions prevent you from seeing cross traffic. If the officer observed only that second movement, the sight line could become an important issue.
4. Can I legally turn right at a red light in Tacoma?
Washington generally permits certain right turns against a steady circular red signal after you make the required stop, unless a sign prohibits the movement. You must also yield as required before completing the turn. If you were cited while turning right, determine whether the officer is alleging an illegal turn, failure to stop, failure to yield, or another specific violation.
5. What evidence should I save after receiving a Tacoma red-light or stop-sign ticket?
Preserve dashcam footage immediately because many systems automatically overwrite older recordings. You may also want photographs showing the stop line, traffic signal, stop sign, crosswalk, lane configuration, sight obstructions, and the approximate location of the officer. If a passenger witnessed what happened, save that person’s contact information as well.
6. What if road construction or faded pavement markings made the intersection confusing?
The condition of the intersection can be relevant depending on the particular allegation. Tacoma regularly has construction, utility work, changing lane configurations, and temporary traffic controls, so photographs taken close to the date of the citation may help document what you actually encountered. Construction does not automatically excuse a violation, but the physical conditions can sometimes provide important context.
7. Does the police officer have to appear personally at my contested traffic hearing?
Not necessarily. Washington traffic-infraction procedures allow the court to consider an officer’s sworn statement in a contested case, subject to the applicable court rules and procedures. If testimony from the officer becomes important to your defense, your attorney can explain the procedures that may apply rather than assuming the officer will automatically be sitting in the courtroom.
8. What if I received the ticket while driving through Tacoma but I don’t live there?
You can still contest the citation. Your rights do not depend on being a Tacoma resident, although the court identified on your citation will determine where the matter is handled. This can be particularly relevant for people commuting on I-5, traveling between Pierce and King counties, visiting Tacoma, or driving through the city for work.
9. Is it worth challenging a ticket if the officer says the violation was obvious?
An officer’s confidence does not determine whether you should contest a citation. The better question is whether the available evidence supports the alleged violation. Signal timing, viewing position, intersection layout, stop-line location, video, photographs, and witness information can sometimes provide details that were not apparent during the traffic stop.
10. When should I contact a Tacoma traffic ticket attorney?
Consider getting legal advice before choosing how to respond if you believe the citation is incorrect, have previous violations, drive for work, hold a CDL, or are particularly concerned about your driving record. An attorney can review what happened and explain the differences between contesting the ticket, mitigation, a possible deferred finding, and other available resolutions before you commit to one approach.
Protect Your Driving Record—Take Action Today
Stop sign and red light violations may seem minor, but their impact can be lasting. From fines and insurance hikes to points on your driving record and potential license suspension, these citations can carry serious consequences. Whether your ticket was issued by an officer or triggered by an automated camera, you have the right to respond—and the ability to fight back.
At the Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe, we help drivers throughout Tacoma and Pierce County challenge traffic infractions and safeguard their driving privileges. Don’t let a single mistake define your record or disrupt your insurance rates.
Take the next step now.
Contact one of our Washington traffic ticket lawyers for a free consultation and get the legal guidance you deserve.