Not to have crossed a faulty red light?

[Orcsies]

On my way to work this morning, just before rush hour on a reasonably busy commuter route from a town to a city.

I was waiting at a temporary red light, which had been erected for what I can only assume is roadworks (no one ever seems to actually work there, but that is another story entirely). It was a 4-way system on a very narrow road with speed humps, so I expected a reasonable wait. However, it appeared that the red light had gone through at least one full cycle without truning green for my side. I did not move and carried on waiting, but the 3 cars queuing behind me decided it was their turn, overtook me and carried on driving through the red light, leaving me waiting there.
On the second cycle, I got overtaken by another 7 cars crossing the red light. I then did a 3-point turn and set off into a different direction, away from the faulty traffic lights, taking a different route, which added about 10min to my morning commute.

I did, however, feel like a prize idiot. I was literally the only car waiting and everyone around me just ignored the red light and carried on with their morning commute. WIBU not to cross the red light and take a different route?

Nope, I’d have done what you did. Or followed the others like a coward lol

I don't blame ypu for being cautious but i would have followed them

The way I see it 10 minutes longer on your drive is better than a potential fine in the post. It’s always better to play it safe when it comes to stuff like this.

Tif you were at the front, try moving forward a bit in case you aren't close enough to set off the sensor.

Happened to me once as a new driver (about a month after my test) on a foggy autumn morning. I didn’t know the temp traffic lights were faulty until someone came up to my driver side window and said ‘Listen, love, you’re just going to have to take a chance and go’. So I did. But I was really nervous. In your situation you weren’t wrong, but I’d have followed the cars who went first, I think.

Oh OP I run through this scenario in my head every time the lights take too long I think 4 way lights with limited visibility I would do what you did. Lights on a straight visible street I would just drive through them personally.

Difficult one. It's a different matter going through faulty lights because they aren't working. You would have had to break a red light (be it faulty).

Legally I think you were right. I think you could have got penalties for breaking a red light.

How did those overtaking you know when to go through the red light?

I’ve been in this situation a few times too, it’s always a conundrum isn’t it. I would have probably followed the others in quick succession. Unless I knew the lights were faulty for definite from previous days and then I would have tentatively gone for it as soon as I thought it was safe. But doing the uturn like you did was a sensible idea if you didn’t feel confident.