Originally Posted by
noodle soup
you interpreted it that way, whil noisebeam and I interpreted it as farther off.
In this area, we can usually see stoplights a half mile away.
It doesn't matter where one rides. If the red light is in the distance I keep pedaling or maintaining speed until I can assess the intersection.
Per the OP: "[The red light in the distance] could have just changed or it could be changing to green any moment. What do you do? "
The only practical answer is pedal until one can get more info - whether it be a change in light or being able to see x-walk signals or change in cross traffic, etc. This will happen much closer than 1/2 or 1/4 mile away.