Can I run a red light that won’t turn green in Missouri? What state law says
Imagine you’re sitting in your car at an interminable red light with no other cars on the road, and a thought pops into your head :
“What if I just run the light?”
Faced with an unchanging traffic light, even the law-abiding drivers might consider intentionally running a red . And late at night or at an intersection with bad timing, the stop light can feel like an unnecessary obstacle.
In Missouri, disobeying traffic lights is considered a moving violation. For people found guilty, the state adds two points to their driver’s licenses, in addition to court and ticket fees. If points accumulate to 12 in 18 months, one might face a driving suspension.
Find out what Missouri law says about this situation, from Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesperson Justin Ewing.
Can I legally run a red light that won’t change in Missouri?
For cars and trucks, Ewing said that Missouri law does not specifically address this situation. The state’s law says that cars have to stop at the red light and “remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown.” The rules lay out one exception for those vehicles: Turning right on red when allowed.
However, there is an exception for bikes and motorcycles, since they are too light to trigger the weight-based traffic signals in many intersections.
If someone riding a motorcycle or bike gets a ticket for running a red light, they can argue they stopped at a red light and it was broken or didn’t detect the change and no one else was at the intersection.
What should you do if a red light won’t change?
Drivers should try to stay patient and wait for the light to change. Ewing said he’s seen stop lights turn right after a car starts to run the light.
Ewing urged people to protect themselves and the other people on the road.
“Each driver has to take the safest action possible, and make those decisions and know that the consequences of each decision they make is on themselves,” Ewing said.
For consistently slow intersections, you can alert your municipal government once you arrive at your destination. Kansas City’s 311 website has a traffic signal section for reporting malfunctioning signal timing.
What should I do if the traffic signal is broken?
When it looks like a stop light is not working, contact law enforcement.
Call the non-emergency line for the police department of the city or town where the light is located. Ewing said that an officer might be dispatched to direct traffic.
And don’t forget, if a stop light is flashing red, you should treat it like a stop sign.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
