our law here in california is very intuitive, but very vague:
if you CAN safely stop (be completely stopped without crossing the limit line) when you see the light turn yellow, you MUST stop. if you CANNOT safely stop when you see the light turn yellow, you MUST continue through the intersection.
that means if you have to break two tires free and screech to a halt, spilling coffee all over your 56yrold vagina so you can sue mcdonald's, you should have gone through the light instead.
also, if any of your car is in the intersection (across the limit line) before the light turns red (as in WHILE IT IS STILL YELLOW), you're safe.
however, if a cop sees you purposely accelerate to beat a yellow, you get the ticket.
they just raised the minimum for runinng a red from $271 to $331.
~ dan ~