The answer is, as it oftentimes is with the law, it depends. If a driver is delayed at a green light in North Carolina, this appears to be an extremely fact specific inquiry. When initiating a traffic stop, police simply need reasonable suspicion, and courts will examine all of the surrounding circumstances to determine whether the stop was justified.
This factual scenario occurred in the case, State v. Roberson, 163 N.C. App. 129 (2004), a police officer initiated a traffic stop after a suspect had about an eight to ten second delay at a traffic light. This took place around 4:30 in the morning, and the defendant was driving in an area where several bars and restaurants were located. The holding in this case stated that the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle, due to the fact that it was over two hours after bars had closed and the delay at the traffic stop was the only thing that could have tipped the officer off that the man was not paying attention.
However, in State v. Barnard, 184 N.C. App. 25 (2007), an officer observed a vehicle at a stoplight for more than thirty seconds after the light turned green. This was in a high crime area, and a number of bars were located in the region. This case held that the officer did have reasonable suspicion to justify the stop here. In a third case, State v. Parker, 137 N.C. App. 590 (2000), reasonable suspicion was found where a defendant remained stopped at an intersection for thirty seconds just like the last case. The delayed reaction permitted the officer reasonable suspicion under these circumstances.
So, the moral of the story here is that police may stop you for a delayed reaction at a traffic light or intersection; however, it appears as though a time delay of just a few seconds is not enough. The time delay must be around 30 seconds or above. Less time may be justified if the surrounding circumstances point to an intoxicated driver. There is no set standard for reasonable suspicion here rather than a look at the totality of all of the circumstances.
