Krdytkyu

In some cases, it is possible to approach a traffic light prepared to make a movement (through or turning), only to find yourself sitting at a red signal for your movement for several traffic light cycles. This can either be due to incompatibility between your vehicle and the inductive loop sensor in the pavement that tells the traffic light that somebody wants that movement (a common problem for bicyclists and motorcyclists), or due to an outright failure of the sensor loop or controller.

Of course, notifying the local authorities (via a non-emergency means) of the issue is recommended, as they can't fix what they don't know is broken, but it may take hours or even days for a technician to show up to address a defective (not just incompatible) sensor or controller, and repairs could take longer yet, depending on the situation. So, in the meantime, what can/should a driver do about their predicament, keeping safety as the first priority?

I ran into this in a car in the USA, by the way, but as mentioned, cycles (manual or motored) are known to have compatibility issues with inductive loops, so answers for two-wheeled vehicles and other countries are welcome as well.

The first option, if safe to do so, is to roll or drive back a bit and pull up again.

For a two wheeler going a diagonally can help at times.

Sometimes waiting for a car to pull up behind you may help, as they might have what is needed to trigger the lights.

But if this does not work, waiting till the lights are turned off at the end of the day seems the only 'legal' way in most areas.

Mostly the traffic laws are rather local, state in the USA, country or province in Europe, sometimes even city in some areas.

But most seem based on the same basic rule, do not drive through red.

On the other hand, it is known to be a problem and the accepted solution in most areas is to wait a few cycles and then move forward with the next cycle's green on the lane besides you. Be very careful and only do it when it seems safe.

Wait for a break in the traffic you need to cross or wait till the people in that stream of traffic recognize the problem and allow space for you to pass through.

Of course, you should inform the local authorities who are in charge, so they can repair or change the signalling in that crossing.

As someone riding bicycles and tricycles I am too familiar with traffic lights not reacting.

Some jurisdictions may have laws that specifically address this situation. For example, in Colorado, CRS 42-4-612 says:

Whenever a driver approaches an intersection and faces a traffic control signal which is inoperative or which remains on steady red or steady yellow during several time cycles, the rules controlling entrance to a through street or highway from a stop street or highway, as provided under section 42-4-703 , shall apply until a police officer assumes control of traffic or until normal operation is resumed.

Which basically means, come to a complete stop and yield to cross traffic, proceeding only when it is clear.

So you may want to try to look up the law in your jurisdiction.

As another alternative, in some places, and in particular in nearly all of the US, it is legal to make a right turn on a red light. So if you're in such a place, and there is no sign forbidding it, and there is a road to your right, you can simply turn right and then find a different route to your destination.

Otherwise, if you have a phone, I would try to call the police. If traffic is backing up at the intersection, or you see other drivers doing unsafe maneuvers to get out, I would say it's justified to use the emergency number (112/911/999/etc). They could send an officer to manually direct traffic, or at least to shut off the signal so that it is equivalent to an all-way stop. That should be much faster than the hours or days that might be needed to make complete repairs.