What should you do if you approach a red traffic light?

Explanation

A red traffic light means you must come to a complete stop. As you approach a red light, begin slowing down in plenty of time and stop your car at the stop line or before entering the crosswalk/intersection. While stopped, you should wait until the light turns green to proceed straight or turn left. The only exception is that, if it’s permitted, you may turn right on red after stopping, but only after yielding to any cross traffic and pedestrians (and making sure there are no “No Turn on Red” signs). Also, in a few places, you can turn left on red if both the street you’re on and the street you’re turning onto are one-way; however, this is less common and only allowed when posted or clearly legal in that state. Importantly, even if the light is green, if you’re stopped at a red and it turns green, still check the intersection to make sure no one is running their red light. If the traffic light is red and you’re in a lane that goes straight or left, you cannot legally go – you have to wait. Running a red light (going through it) is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. So, whenever you approach a red light: stop completely, yield to others as needed, and don’t proceed until you have a green (or you’re doing a legal right-on-red turn after stopping and checking).