Is ‘rat running’ legal in NC traffic? Here’s what the law says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Using parking lots to bypass red lights is illegal in many NC cities.
- Charlotte's municipal code prohibits turnarounds through adjacent properties.
- Violations may lead to $250 fines or reckless driving charges, per officer judgment.
Sitting in traffic is no fun, and cutting through a parking lot to avoid a red light may seem like an easy way to save yourself some time.
The practice, called “rat running,” is illegal in many states however, including North Carolina. What seems like a harmless shortcut could cost you a hefty fine, and even increase your risk for an accident.
Here’s what drivers should know.
Can you cut through a parking lot to skip a red light in NC? What about a gas station?
The short answer is no.
While there isn’t a statewide law that explicitly addresses rat running, the practice can be considered a violation of existing traffic laws requiring drivers to obey traffic signs and signals, Trooper Christopher Casey with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol told The Charlotte Observer.
For instance, North Carolina General Statute 20-158 says vehicles must “come to a complete stop” and not pass through an intersection when facing a steady red light or stop sign.
“After coming to a complete stop and unless prohibited by an appropriate sign, that approaching vehicle may make a right turn,” the law says.
Specific cities also have their own rules, however. In Charlotte, taking a quick shortcut through a parking lot, gas station or other path to skip a red light is against the law.
Section 14-128 of the city’s municipal code says it’s “unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to turn from one street onto property which abuts on one or more of the intersecting streets in order to enter the intersecting street.”
Further, not stopping at a business or establishment while passing through its parking lot suggests a driver’s intent to skirt the law, it says.
What’s the penalty for rat running in NC?
Rat running comes with risks, though punishments may vary depending on the circumstances.
“The only thing an officer might be able to charge is careless and reckless driving if it can be articulated that the driver was speeding or driving in a reckless manner through the parking lot,” Casey told The Charlotte Observer.
“However, this really comes down to officer discretion, and for the NC Highway Patrol, it would need to be a clear-cut, substantial violation of the law,” he said.
More generally, failing to stop at a red light or other traffic sign is considered an “infraction” and could lead to a $250 fine, according to Raleigh’s city code.