Florida Statutes

Fla. Stat. § 316.1235 (2025)

Vehicle approaching intersection in which traffic lights are inoperative.

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316.1235 Vehicle approaching intersection in which traffic lights are inoperative.The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection in which the traffic lights are inoperative shall stop in the manner indicated in s. 316.123(2) for approaching a stop intersection. In the event that only some of the traffic lights within an intersection are inoperative, the driver of a vehicle approaching an inoperative light shall stop in the above-prescribed manner. A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.
History.s. 2, ch. 77-229; s. 120, ch. 99-248.

Civil Citations under F.S. 316.1235

Driver's license points · R = revocation · S = suspension
§316.1235INOPERATIVE TRAFFIC LIGHT - Failed to stop3 pts
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1984–2011 · leading case: Goldberg v. Florida Power & Light Co., 899 So. 2d 1105 (Fla. 2005).
Goldberg v. Florida Power & Light Co., 899 So. 2d 1105 (Fla. 2005). · cites it 5× “See § 316.1235, Fla. Stat. (2003). This is especially true in a case such as this in which the drivers approached an inoperable traffic signal at a busy intersection, during the rush hour, in inclement weather, and where traffic proceeded in one direction in an almost unbroken…”
Gulley v. Pierce, 625 So. 2d 45 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993). · cites it 7× “Concerning appellant's first issue, the failure of the trial court to give certain requested jury instructions advising that violations of the Uniform Traffic Control Law are evidence of negligence, we reverse as to the lower court's failure to give instructions relating to (1)…”
Levy v. Florida Power & Light Co., 798 So. 2d 778 (Fla. 4th DCA 2001). · cites it 4× “123(2), Florida Statutes (2000)). The decision in this type of case is policy driven.”
Metro. Dade Cnty. v. Colina, 456 So. 2d 1233 (Fla. 3d DCA 1984). · cites it 4× “As previously noted, section 316.1235, Florida Statutes (1979) requires drivers to treat intersections with malfunctioning traffic lights as if controlled by stop signs.”
Florida Power & Light Co. v. Goldberg, 856 So. 2d 1011 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003). “The traffic ordinances of Florida Statute §§ 316.1235 (stopping) and 316.1925 (careless driving) were submitted to the jury.”
Searcy v. Zawackis, 55 So. 3d 660 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011). · cites it 2× “See § 316.1235, Fla. Stat. (2005) (“The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection in which the traffic lights are inoperative shall stop in the manner indicated in s.”
City of Miami v. Burley, 596 So. 2d 1133 (Fla. 3d DCA 1992). · cites it 2× “-1235, Florida Statutes (1989), is applicable only to an intersectional traffic light which is “inoperative,” that is, a traffic light which is not operating at all, and (2) the traffic light in the instant case was malfunctioning, but, contrary to the City of Miami’s argument,…”
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This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham Syfert, a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). Attorney Syfert regularly handles Chapter 316 matters in the context of traffic and automobile accident law and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.