Can I run a red light that won’t turn green in Washington? What state law says

Picture this: You’re stuck at a red light that seems to be taking forever.

No cars are coming from the other direction, and the coast seems clear.

If a red light just won’t turn green, are you supposed to keep waiting? At what point are you allowed to ignore the traffic signal and drive through the intersection?

Here’s what state law and Washington State Patrol had to say.

Can I legally run a red light that won’t change in Washington?

Washington state law outlines the rules for drivers approaching a stoplight.

According to the Revised Code of Washington, vehicles facing a red light should stop ahead of the intersection and “remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown.”

Drivers are legally allowed to make a right turn — or a left turn onto a one-way street — at a red light, as long as they allow cars or pedestrians to pass, and there isn’t a sign indicating the turn is prohibited.

What should you do if the traffic signal is broken?

Although Washington’s Revised Code doesn’t specify what drivers should do if a traffic light won’t change, state law addresses what to do in cases where a traffic light isn’t functioning properly.

In the case of a flashing red light, drivers should stop ahead of the intersection and proceed as they would if they were at a stop sign, state law says.

That means they have to come to a complete stop at the marked stop line, or if there is none, before entering the crosswalk or intersection, yield to any cars already in the intersection and only proceed when it’s safe to do so.

If traffic signals that aren’t functioning at all, motorists should treat the intersection like “an all-way stop,” unless there’s a traffic flagger, firefighter or police officer directing traffic.

However, the law only addresses what happens when a stoplight “is temporarily without power on all approaches or is not displaying any green, red, or yellow indication to the approach the vehicle is on.”

What should you do if a red light won’t change?

So what should you if a red light won’t change?

Once you’ve determined the light isn’t changing on its regular schedule, you should first call 911, according to Washington State Patrol.

“The Washington State Patrol does not recommend that motorists drive through red traffic lights,” Jermaine Walker, Washington State Patrol director of media development, told McClatchy via email. “If you believe a light is not functioning properly, we advise calling 911 to report the malfunction and continuing to wait.”

Once you’ve notified authorities about the broken light, Walker recommends waiting a bit longer.

“If, after reporting the issue and waiting an additional period of time, the signal still does not change, we recommend treating the intersection as if it were controlled by a flashing red light,” Walker said. “In this case, drivers should come to a complete stop, yield to other traffic, and proceed with caution when it is safe to do so.”

Can you get a ticket if a red light won’t change?

If you opt to drive through a broken red light, you could still get pulled over, Walker said.

After all, running a red light is technically illegal, he noted.

However, Walker said, law enforcement officers will likely take the situation into account before deciding whether or not to issue a ticket.

“Technically, proceeding through a red light is an infraction, and motorists may be stopped and cited,” Walker said. “However, if a stop occurs, explaining the steps you took to report the malfunction, including a record of your 911 call, will most likely be taken into consideration when an enforcement decision needs to be made.”

Traffic light violations are punishable by fines in Washington state.

According to the state’s monetary penalty schedule, you can expect to pay a base fine of $48 for “failure to stop.”

Running a red light could potentially carry additional fines, and some Washington cities issue more expensive tickets for failing to stop at a traffic signal.

This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM.