What to Do When the Traffic Light Stays Red?
3 Answers
If the red light malfunctions, you may proceed through the intersection directly. Running a red light caused by traffic light malfunction will not be penalized. Below is an introduction to traffic lights: 1. Introduction: There are two types of traffic lights, those for motor vehicles are called vehicle lights. 2. General term: Usually refers to signal lights composed of red, yellow, and green (green is blue-green) lights used to direct traffic. 3. Application: When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to pass; when the yellow light flashes, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to pass; those that have not passed should slow down and stop before the stop line and wait. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing. For pedestrians, there are pedestrian crossing lights, usually composed of red and green (green is blue-green) lights used to direct traffic—stop at red, go at green.
When driving on the road, if I encounter a traffic light that stays red without changing, it usually indicates a signal malfunction. My first priority is to ensure safety. I should find a safe place to stop and avoid rushing through the red light, as running a red light may result in being caught by cameras and fined with penalty points, and more seriously, it could lead to an accident causing severe consequences. I will observe for a few minutes to see if other vehicles are passing by. If the road is clear, I can carefully check if the green light is delayed. If the red light persists after several minutes, I will decisively choose an alternative route or directly call the local traffic department, such as 12319, to report the malfunction location, and they will send someone to handle it. Remember, patience is golden while driving, and safety is always the top priority, especially in rainy or foggy conditions with poor visibility, where extra caution is needed.
As a car owner, getting stuck at a red light can be frustrating, but it's absolutely not worth taking risks. Find a safe spot to pull over, keep the engine running, and observe the situation. Wait for a minute or two to see if the light resets automatically—sometimes it's just a brief power outage. If there's no change, quickly open your navigation app to plan an alternative route or contact the city hotline for assistance. Running a red light carries serious consequences; fines are the least of your worries—it could lead to a life-threatening accident. Nowadays, some city apps allow direct reporting of traffic issues, which is quite convenient. I've tried it a few times, and the response was prompt. In short, safe driving habits start with small actions. Stay calm when encountering abnormalities to avoid chain reactions.
