Traffic Signal Reliance and Contributory Negligence

A driver, relying on the certainty of traffic signals, proceeded through an intersection upon the light turning green but collided with a vehicle that had run a red light, resulting in property damage. The court of appeal held the driver proceeding on the green light solely liable, reasoning that every driver must exercise prudence and constantly verify traffic conditions, even when having the right of way indicated by a signal, implying that the sole reliance on the signal constituted a fault contributing to the accident. The highest court overturned this decision, finding that the lower court erred by imputing fault to the driver who respected the signal, as the primary fault lay with the other party who disregarded the red light, and thus the driver with the green light was not necessarily contributorily negligent merely for trusting the traffic control device.