We don\u2019t have much patience on the road in Miami. Drivers want to be on the move despite gridlock, slow-poke tourists and people paying more attention to their cellphone than the light that just turned green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what happens if that red light doesn\u2019t change to green? Is it broken? Did it skip a cycle? Or are you just impatient?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And is it legal in Florida to ignore a light that seems to be stuck on red, and pass through an intersection?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no law in Florida allowing a driver to pass a solid red light that doesn\u2019t change to green. That means you are risking a ticket if you run the red, even if the coast is clear. One thing to know: A light that doesn\u2019t seem to change may just be taking longer than you\u2019re used to, or have patience for \u2014 it doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s broken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some states have what is called a \u201cDead Red Law,\u201d which allows bicyclists and motorcyclists to run a red that isn\u2019t triggered by their vehicle. Florida isn\u2019t one of them, according to the Murphy Law Group in Sarasota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a red light isn\u2019t changing to green, police and traffic advocates suggest pulling up to the intersection line, then rolling your vehicle back and forth to trip the light sensor in the pavement. If that doesn\u2019t work, turn right on red when the coast is clear. Then report the faulty light to 511. A sensor may not recognize a bicycle, motorcycle or lighter vehicle, or just be faulty no matter the vehicle size. \u201cI\u2019m not going to tell you to just proceed through the intersection,\u201d Trooper Steve Montiero told Orlando TV station WKMG. \u201cWhat I will say if you can make a right and avoid this intersection and maybe make a U-turn later on down the road \u2014 that would be your best bet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do pass what you think is a stuck light and get caught, you can take it to court. \u201cUnfortunately, ignorance of a law is not a good defense in most cases,\u201d according to the Murphy Law Group. \u201cHowever, your attorney may be able to help you defend against the citation, so you can avoid having it on your license. If a light is broken, or if the trigger system was not working, then it might have been reasonable to continue on safely. This is something to discuss with your attorney if you\u2019re cited for running a red light that wasn\u2019t working properly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Florida law is clear on what drivers have to do if they approach an intersection with a flashing red or yellow light:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Red: <\/strong>According to Florida law, drivers who approach a flashing red light need to stop, check for traffic, then proceed through the intersection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yellow: <\/strong>Drivers who approach a flashing yellow light must proceed with caution, Florida law says.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We don\u2019t have much patience on the road in Miami. Drivers want to be on the move despite gridlock, slow-poke tourists and people paying more attention to their cellphone than the light that just turned green. But what happens if that red light doesn\u2019t change to green? Is it broken? Did it skip a cycle? … Continue reading Can drivers pass a red light that doesn\u2019t turn green? What Florida law says about that<\/span>