Can you run a red light that won’t turn green in Mississippi? What state law says
If you’ve ever gotten caught at a red light that won’t turn green the thought has probably crossed your mind to just run it.
You’ve already checked both ways and no one seems to be coming. If you keep waiting on the light that appears to be broken , you could end up there all day.
But is it legal in Mississippi to run through a red light that seems to be stuck?
Here’s what to know:
What should you do if a traffic light doesn’t change?
Mississippi law is very clear that a red signal means stop, and drivers shouldn’t go until the signal turns green, but the law doesn’t specifically address what to do if the light is broken.
However, if you choose to drive through the red light, and you’re stopped by law enforcement, you could be fined as running a red light. In Mississippi, the infraction is considered a misdemeanor, according to law experts at NOLO, a publisher of self-help legal aids.
Driving through red lights and stop lights is one of the most violated traffic laws in Mississippi, according to Gardner Law Firm. Depending on which county you ran the light in, you could be fined up to $225, law experts said.
Can you ever run a red light in Mississippi?
These two Mississippi traffic laws make it legal for drivers to go through red lights on specific occasions:
1. Right-on-red rule
In Mississippi, it’s legal for drivers to turn right on a red light after stopping unless there is a sign against it, according to state law. Just be sure to make sure no one is coming before doing so.
2. Left-on-red rule
Drivers in Mississippi can also make a left turn after stopping at a red light from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless there is a sign saying “no turn on red,” according to the law.
Some states have what’s called a “dead red law,” which allows motorcyclists to go through red lights under certain circumstances, but Mississippi is not one of them. Mississippi lawmakers tried to pass a similar bill in 2017, but it died in committee.
What should you do if a traffic signal is broken?
If a traffic signal isn’t working, contact law enforcement.
You can also report road conditions impacting traffic to the Mississippi Department of Transportation by calling 1-866-521-6368.
