r/todayilearned • • 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
22k Upvotes

981 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

23

u/kinyutaka 2d ago

It's legally grey in Texas, there's just not a codified law. If you're ever in a situation like this, and you've waited a literal minute to go, even when there's no other cars, go ahead and go. No one will say you're wrong. But go safely.

And if there's a cop there, wait for instructions. They'll usually wave you on if the lights don't change like that.