What should you do if you encounter a red light that seems stuck or is not changing?

What should you do if you encounter a red light that seems stuck or is not changing?

• A. Continue through cautiously.
• B. Stop and treat as a four-way stop if necessary or follow local guidance.
• C. Switch to hazard mode and proceed.
• D. Turn on your hazard lights and move through.

Answer: (B)

When a red light seems stuck or not changing, the signal isn’t controlling traffic, so you must treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Come to a complete stop, scan for cross traffic and pedestrians, and then proceed only when the intersection is clear and you have the right-of-way (typically by waiting your turn or yielding to vehicles on your right if arriving together). Following local guidance or police directions is also important if available. Do not try to drive through on the red or rely on hazard lights to bypass the signal, since that can confuse other drivers and isn’t a proper way to navigate a malfunctioning signal. Proceed with caution as you would at a four-way stop, and go only when it’s safe.

When a red light seems stuck or not changing, the signal isn’t controlling traffic, so you must treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Come to a complete stop, scan for cross traffic and pedestrians, and then proceed only when the intersection is clear and you have the right-of-way (typically by waiting your turn or yielding to vehicles on your right if arriving together). Following local guidance or police directions is also important if available. Do not try to drive through on the red or rely on hazard lights to bypass the signal, since that can confuse other drivers and isn’t a proper way to navigate a malfunctioning signal. Proceed with caution as you would at a four-way stop, and go only when it’s safe.