Obviously malfunction traffic signal

[msethhunter]

Is it written in a law book about how to handle one?

Scenario:

Sitting in my car, probably 6-7 other cars waiting for the light to change. It cycles through all other light cycles except for the one in the direction I’m traveling twice. Cross traffic gets two green signals, and flows both directions at once. Opposing traffic and traffic in my direction gets through intersection and protected arrows at the same time only. Opposing traffic and cross traffic both had two cycles of greens.

 

[KrustyKruser]

I have calif. veh. Code section 21800(d)(1) and 21800(e)(3) when pulled over. Actually have a sheet of paper with these and the modulated headlight section (25251.2) ready since I have been pulled over for Both.

 

[cheez]

I believe it's under 28000 (d) (1) as Krusty pointed out. What defines it as inoperable is under 21450.5(a) - cars or (b) - bikes/MCs. Note that if you're in a car and you do actually eventually get a light, it may not be malfunctioning, and that may be cite-worthy.

VEHICLE CODE - VEH DIVISION 11. RULES OF THE ROAD [21000 - 23336] ( Division 11 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

CHAPTER 4. Right-of-Way [21800 - 21809] ( Chapter 4 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

21800.
(a) The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.

(b) (1) When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on his or her immediate right, except that the driver of any vehicle on a terminating highway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle on the intersecting continuing highway.

(2) For the purposes of this section, “terminating highway” means a highway which intersects, but does not continue beyond the intersection, with another highway which does continue beyond the intersection.

(c) When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at the same time and the intersection is controlled from all directions by stop signs, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on his or her immediate right.

(d) (1) The driver of any vehicle approaching an intersection which has official traffic control signals that are inoperative shall stop at the intersection, and may proceed with caution when it is safe to do so.

VEHICLE CODE - VEH
DIVISION 11. RULES OF THE ROAD [21000 - 23336] ( Division 11 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )
CHAPTER 2. Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings [21350 - 21468] ( Chapter 2 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

ARTICLE 3. Offenses Relating to Traffic Devices [21450 - 21468] ( Article 3 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

21450.5.
(a) A traffic-actuated signal is an official traffic control signal, as specified in Section 445, that displays one or more of its indications in response to the presence of traffic detected by mechanical, visual, electrical, or other means.

(b) Upon the first placement of a traffic-actuated signal or replacement of the loop detector of a traffic-actuated signal, the traffic-actuated signal shall, to the extent feasible and in conformance with professional traffic engineering practice, be installed and maintained to detect lawful bicycle or motorcycle traffic on the roadway.

(c) Cities, counties, and cities and counties shall not be required to comply with the provisions contained in subdivision (b) until the Department of Transportation, in consultation with these entities, has established uniform standards, specifications, and guidelines for the detection of bicycles and motorcycles by traffic-actuated signals and related signal timing.

(d) (1) Upon the first placement or replacement of a state-owned or operated traffic-actuated signal, a traffic-actuated signal shall be installed and maintained to have a leading pedestrian interval, and shall include the installation, activation, and maintenance of an accessible pedestrian signal and detector that complies with sections 4E.08 to 4E.13 of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in effect on December 31, 2022.

(2) An existing state-owned or operated traffic-actuated signal capable of being implemented with remote installation or in-person programming shall have a leading pedestrian interval programmed when maintenance work is done on the intersection in which the traffic-actuated signal is located, if the traffic-actuated signal is in any of the following areas:

(A) A residential district.

(B) A business district.

(C) A business activity district.

(D) A safety corridor.

(E) A school zone.

(F) An area with a high concentration of pedestrians and cyclists, as determined by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 22358.7.

(3) The requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply when prohibited by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(4) As used in this subdivision, a “leading pedestrian interval” means an official traffic control signal that advances the “WALK” signal for three to seven seconds while the red signal halting traffic continues to be displayed on parallel through or turning traffic.

(5) As used in this subdivision, an “accessible pedestrian signal and detector” means an integrated device that communicates information about the “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” intervals at signalized intersections in nonvisual formats, including audible tones, speech messages, and vibrotactile surfaces, to pedestrians who are blind or have low vision.

 

[TheRiddler]

If it's a light you regularly encounter, contact the responsible locality's public works department. I've found when I did this, it has always been fixed within a week.