A flashing red light violation can quickly turn your day upside down. The stress of dealing with law enforcement, the burden of potential fines, and the anxiety about points on your license create problems that extend far beyond the initial incident. If you’re facing charges related to Colorado’s flashing red light laws, you need clear answers and strong representation to safeguard your driving record and financial well-being.
At McCormick & Murphy P.C., we bring over 60 years of combined experience to Colorado drivers, helping them understand and manage traffic law challenges. Since 1995, we’ve secured favorable outcomes for clients and assisted countless individuals in protecting their rights when facing violations that could impact their lives and livelihoods.
Understanding Colorado’s Updated 2025 Flashing Red Light Laws
Colorado’s flashing red light laws have seen significant updates for 2025, introducing new requirements that can catch unaware drivers off guard. It’s essential to recognize that flashing red lights function as stop signs under Colorado law, but the exact stopping requirements depend on the specific situation.
School Bus Flashing Red Light Requirements
The most impactful change for 2025 concerns school bus stopping rules. As of May 2025, drivers must stop at least 20 feet from any school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, regardless of whether they are approaching from behind or from the oncoming lane. This marks a significant change from prior legal interpretations.
The only exception applies when a physical barrier separates traffic lanes. However, painted lines or painted medians no longer qualify as sufficient barriers. Only raised or depressed medians provide a legal exemption from the stopping requirement. This update has surprised many experienced drivers who previously relied on exceptions for painted medians.
Drivers must remain fully stopped until the bus’s red lights turn off and the stop arm retracts. Moving too soon, even if children have finished crossing, can lead to a citation.
Traffic Signal Flashing Red Lights
When you encounter a flashing red traffic signal, Colorado law requires you to come to a complete stop, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and cross traffic, and proceed only when it is safe to do so. This differs from a flashing yellow light, which only requires caution.
Many drivers mistakenly treat flashing red lights as yield signs, but this can lead to serious legal consequences. The complete stop requirement means your vehicle must reach zero mph before moving forward.
Penalties and Consequences for Violations
Colorado has increased enforcement of flashing red light violations significantly in 2025, with law enforcement actively issuing citations for infractions that might have previously resulted in warnings. Understanding the potential consequences helps you grasp the seriousness of these charges.
Financial Penalties
School bus violations carry some of the highest penalties in Colorado traffic law. First-time offenders typically face fines ranging from $300 to $1,000, depending on the specific circumstances and county where the violation occurred. Repeat offenders face escalating penalties that can reach several thousand dollars.
Traffic signal violations generally result in fines between $75 and $300 for first-time offenders, but these amounts increase substantially if the violation contributes to an accident or injury.
License Points and Driving Record Impact
Most flashing red light violations add points to your Colorado driving record. School bus violations typically add 6 points, while traffic signal violations add 4 points. Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months can result in license suspension, threatening your freedom to drive.
These points remain on your record for years and can significantly impact your insurance rates. Many drivers don’t realize that insurance companies regularly review driving records and adjust premiums based on violation history, leading to higher costs for years.
Additional Consequences
Beyond immediate fines and points, flashing red light violations can create lasting problems. Commercial drivers face particularly severe outcomes, as violations can jeopardize their commercial driving privileges and employment opportunities.
If your violation contributed to an accident, you may face additional charges and civil liability. This is where the consequences extend far beyond traffic court and into potential personal injury claims.
Common Problems and Effective Legal Solutions
Problem 1: Unclear Signage or Road Conditions
Many flashing red light violations happen because drivers encounter unclear signage, obstructed views, or confusing road layouts. School bus stops, in particular, can present challenging situations where drivers have limited visibility or uncertain stopping requirements.
Our legal solution involves documenting the specific conditions that contributed to your violation. This includes photographing the scene, noting any obstructed signs or sight lines, and gathering witness statements if available. These factors can provide strong grounds for challenging the citation or negotiating reduced penalties, protecting your record.
Problem 2: Emergency Situations
Sometimes drivers violate flashing red light laws due to genuine emergencies, medical situations, or other extenuating circumstances. While these situations don’t automatically excuse violations, they can provide grounds for penalty reduction or alternative sentencing.
The key is properly documenting and presenting these circumstances through the legal system. This requires understanding how Colorado courts evaluate emergency defenses and what evidence best supports your case – something our experienced team excels at.
Problem 3: Multiple Violations or Repeat Offenses
Drivers with multiple violations face escalating penalties that can threaten their driving privileges and financial stability. The legal system becomes less forgiving with each subsequent violation, making professional legal representation increasingly important to protect your future.
Addressing multiple violations requires a careful strategy that considers your entire driving record, employment needs, and long-term consequences. This often involves skilled negotiations with prosecutors, exploring alternative sentencing options, and developing plans to prevent future violations.
Best Practices for Colorado Drivers in 2025
Stay Updated on Law Changes
Colorado traffic laws continue to evolve, and staying informed protects you from inadvertent violations. Subscribe to Colorado Department of Transportation updates, review annual law changes, and consult with legal professionals when you have questions about specific situations.
Pay particular attention to school zone changes in your area, as local jurisdictions often implement additional safety measures that create new stopping requirements.
Practice Defensive Driving Around School Buses
Given the strict 2025 school bus requirements, develop habits that ensure compliance. Always assume you must stop when you see a school bus, regardless of road configuration. Maintain extra following distance behind school buses, and scan ahead for bus stops that might require sudden stopping.
Remember that school bus routes and stops change regularly, so areas that previously didn’t require stopping may now have bus activity.
Document Incidents Immediately
If you receive a flashing red light citation, begin documenting the incident immediately. Take photographs of the scene, note weather and visibility conditions, and write down your recollection of events while they’re fresh in your memory.
This documentation becomes essential if you decide to challenge the citation or if the violation leads to additional legal complications.
Understand Your Legal Options
Don’t automatically pay traffic citations without understanding your options. Many violations can be challenged, reduced, or resolved through alternative means that minimize long-term consequences. Consult with experienced traffic law attorneys who understand Colorado’s specific requirements and court procedures to protect your interests.
When Professional Legal Help Makes a Difference
While some traffic violations might seem straightforward, flashing red light cases often involve complex legal and factual issues that truly benefit from professional representation. The consequences extend beyond immediate fines to affect your driving privileges, insurance rates, and potentially your employment.
McCormick & Murphy P.C. has helped Colorado drivers protect their rights and minimize the impact of traffic violations for decades. Our familiarity with Colorado traffic courts, understanding of local procedures, and relationships with prosecutors allow us to achieve results that drivers cannot obtain representing themselves.
What We Bring to Your Case
Our approach begins with a thorough evaluation of your specific situation. We examine the circumstances of your citation, review the evidence, and identify potential defenses or mitigating factors that could improve your outcome.
We understand how traffic violations fit into the broader context of your life. Commercial drivers, professionals who drive for work, and people with previous violations all face different challenges that require personalized legal strategies.
Our team works to minimize both immediate and long-term consequences, whether that means challenging the citation entirely, negotiating reduced penalties, or exploring alternative sentencing options that protect your driving record and financial stability.
The Value of Our Experience
Colorado traffic courts handle thousands of cases, but each case involves unique circumstances that can dramatically affect the outcome. Our 60+ years of combined experience means we’ve handled virtually every type of flashing red light case and understand how different factors influence court decisions.
We know which arguments resonate with specific judges, how to present evidence effectively, and when to recommend accepting plea agreements versus pursuing trial. This experience directly translates into better outcomes for our clients, providing peace of mind and protection.
Market Trends Affecting Colorado Traffic Law
Colorado’s traffic law enforcement has intensified significantly as the state addresses rising accident rates and safety concerns. Over the past five years, multiple crashes have resulted from drivers failing to stop for school buses with flashing red lights, prompting the stricter 2025 legal updates.
Law enforcement agencies are dedicating more resources to traffic enforcement, particularly around schools and in areas with high accident rates. This means drivers are more likely to receive citations for violations that might have previously resulted in warnings.
The integration of new technology, including automated enforcement systems and improved officer training, has made traffic violation detection more accurate and consistent. This trend toward enhanced enforcement is expected to continue throughout 2025 and beyond, making expert legal defense more important than ever.
Protecting Your Future
A flashing red light violation doesn’t have to derail your driving record or create long-term financial hardship. With proper legal representation and a clear understanding of your options, you can minimize the impact and move forward with confidence.
The key is acting quickly and getting accurate information about your specific situation. Colorado’s traffic laws are intricate, and the consequences of violations extend far beyond the initial citation.
At McCormick & Murphy P.C., we’re committed to helping Colorado drivers understand their rights and achieve the best possible outcomes when facing traffic violations. Our proven success and deep understanding of Colorado traffic law make us the right choice when you need experienced legal representation.
Take Action Today to Protect Your Driving Record
Don’t let a traffic violation create unnecessary stress and financial burden. Contact McCormick & Murphy P.C. today at (719)-389-4000 or email us at [email protected] to discuss your case and explore your options. A confidential consultation can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Our office is conveniently located at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905, and we’re ready to help you protect your driving record and minimize the impact of traffic violations on your life.
Time is often a factor in traffic cases, as deadlines for challenging citations or requesting hearings can pass quickly. Contact us today to ensure you don’t miss important opportunities to improve your case outcome.
Your driving record and financial future are too important to leave to chance. Let our experience and dedication work for you when you need it most. Contact McCormick & Murphy P.C. today and take the first step toward resolving your traffic violation case with confidence.
