What to Do When the Traffic Light Stays Red?
2 Answers
Contact the 110 command center personnel or notify the traffic police officer responsible for traffic light management to fix the signal light, and inquire whether running the red light under these circumstances will result in penalty points. In general, a continuously red light indicates a signal controller program error. In such cases, you can safely proceed through the intersection after confirming it is safe to do so by reducing speed.
When I encounter a traffic light stuck on red while driving, my first reaction is to absolutely not force my way through—that's too dangerous, as it could lead to a collision or cause an accident. I would stop behind the stop line and wait patiently for a few minutes to see if it turns green automatically. If it doesn't, I would then observe the surrounding vehicles and pedestrians—if the intersection is clear, I would proceed slowly and cautiously, but only if it's absolutely safe. Next, I would take a photo of the malfunctioning traffic light with my phone and call 122 to report the issue to the police or contact the local traffic department. This is usually caused by a circuit failure or power outage, and failing to address it promptly can compromise traffic safety. As a driver, safety always comes first. After developing this habit, I no longer panic in such situations. If I'm in a hurry, I would also try to detour through another intersection to avoid getting stuck at the faulty spot. In short, following the rules and staying calm protects both myself and others—don’t let a minor issue turn into a major problem.