What To Do If The Traffic Light Is Stuck On Red

Waiting at a traffic light can be an absolute pain. It often stands between you and wherever you’re going, and while you know how important it is to follow road rules, it can still test your patience. That being said, what if one day you’re very patiently waiting for the light to turn green and it just… doesn’t?  Here’s what to do if the traffic light is stuck on red.

Attempt To Engage the Sensor

If you notice that the traffic lights are working for the other roads in the cross section, that might mean the electromagnetic sensors in the pavement didn’t register your vehicle coming to a stop at the light. The sensors are typically installed a little behind the white line to detect when there are a number of vehicles waiting for the light to change. If your vehicle is the only one at the light, the sensor might not have triggered. 

You should be able to see some lines in the pavement to indicate where the sensors are. If your vehicle’s the only one at the light, try backing up and driving over the sensors again to see if you can trigger them. Should this fail, you can also try flashing your high-beam headlights in case infrared sensors or camera sensors are in use.

Find an Alternate Route

If your attempts to trigger the traffic light sensor are failing, it could be that the traffic light is broken. In this case, the safest alternative is to find an alternate route that doesn’t cross the red light. It might be more of a hassle, but this choice will definitely keep you out of trouble with the law.

Proceed To Cross With Caution 

If you’re left with no other choice, you can attempt to cross with caution. Before you try this, it’s best to be absolutely sure that the traffic light is definitely not working. Wait as long as possible for the light to turn green, try driving over the sensor, and make sure there are no other alternate routes you can take. Then, if you see no other vehicles crossing, drive forward past the red light. Keep in mind this runs the risk of you being pulled over by any nearby law enforcement officers. Try to report the problem with the stoplight to them, and if they’re merciful, they can likely check for themselves if you’re telling the truth. Otherwise, you might end up with a ticket.

These are your options when facing a broken or unresponsive traffic light. Stay safe on the road and always remember to give the light as much time as you can before trying any of these tips. Who knows? Maybe the red light is just slow.