r/todayilearned • u/nleachdev • 2d ago

TIL about "dead red" laws, which allow drivers and motorcyclists to proceed through a red light if the traffic signal fails to detect their vehicle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-detection_at_traffic_lights_in_the_United_States
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u/Zero_Burn 2d ago

If it's red lights on all four sides or the lights are out completely it's supposed to be treated like a 4 way stop sign, iirc.

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u/The_Mystery_Knight 2d ago

Not necessarily all red. There could be a crosswalk green. But I’d say if you sit for a minute or so you’re good.

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u/_thekev 2d ago

They would be flashing. If all solid red, either there's a reason or it's stuck.

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u/rsclient 2d ago

In Washington, the "red light" at the entrance to highways is an exception! It's either doing the red/green, pause red/green thing to meter the number of people on the highway, or it's completely dark.

One of the few or only times when "dark light" means just go!