Broken Red Lights – How Patient Are El Paso Drivers?

I was on the west side the other day, coming off a side street on to Mesa, and stopped at a red light. That stayed red. Forever. I finally had to improvise ...

Not only was this annoying. my "plan B" options were limited since I wasn't first or last in line and my view from left to right was semi-blocked.  Keep in mind, unless it's flashing or out completely, it's NEVER legal to run a red light in Texas unless directed to do so by a cop.

The person who is up front kinda sets the tone here. If vehicle number 1 runs the light, the others will probably follow suit when it's safe to do so. If he settles for a right turn, U-turn combo, vehicle #2 has the same options. What they do will shape #3's move and so on and so forth.

If vehicle #1 just keeps waiting, everybody else gets to hate on them for not doing anything while they also, do nothing. Other vehicles can take their own initiative and do one of the following. If it's safe. Remember, "safe" does not necessarily mean "legal".

Options For Broken Red Lights?

• Run it.
• Turn right, then make a U-turn or choose an entirely different route from there.
• Turn around, go back home and call in sick. Or turn around and go a different way.
• Wait for it to change.

READ MORE: When You Can Legally Run A Red Light

I asked a few social media friends what they would do and it looks like I have a bunch of Facebook friends with no respect for the law.

Running Broken red Lights - Facebook Reacts

What Do El Pasoans Do At Malfunctioning Red Lights>

Gallery Credit: Dubba G

Props to Iggy and Ron for having other, somewhat sensible solutions to this predicament.

Props to Louie also for for being a good citizen. Letting the city know their light is out of whack really is something we should ALL do.

In my case, I needed to make a left with limited visibility so running it was a little iffy.  Not that I wouldn't, that's usually my go-to in these situations. (That's what I would do myself, not my advice for you, ok?)

Plus, traffic on Mesa near Sunland Park is crazy on a good day so, this time, I pulled out of line, turned right, U-turned and off I went.  Next time though, well .... it depends on the situation. I'll leave it at that.