Is it OK to run a red light in SC if it never turns green? Here’s what the law says

Let’s say you’re at a red light and it’s just taking too long to change.

You’re not impatient. It seems like it’s actually broken. Can you breeze on through?

Yes, if you’re on a motorcycle. All others, no can do.

South Carolina law allows motorcycle, moped or bicycle riders to proceed after stopping for two minutes because sometimes light sensors do not pick up small vehicles.

The Louthian Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers in Columbia says this is sometimes referred to as a “dead red law” or “safe on red law.”

After two minutes, “the rider may treat the red light as a stop sign,” the law firm said.

In all, 21 states have such laws, including North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The amount of time the rider has to stop varies, including Tennessee which says basically use your own judgment.

But for drivers of cars and trucks, no such get out of jail free card exists in South Carolina.

Captain Sonny Collins of the South Carolina Highway Patrol said motorists should call local law enforcement to report malfunctioning lights so they can direct traffic. Officers will in turn call the South Carolina Department of Transportation to fix it.

If allowed, you can also turn right and avoid the hassle altogether.

The Cannon law firm in Charleston says if a traffic light isn’t working but is flashing red it should be treated as a four-way stop, “giving way to the right and being cautious with pedestrians.”

Same for no lights functioning.

And if the light is flashing yellow that means proceed with caution.

This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 6:00 AM.