Originally Posted by joejack951
I wouldn't call that an interpretation so much as an adaptation. If the signals don't respond to your presence and you know that without having to wait for a few minutes, you're not legally allowed to run the light yet but you'd probably have no problems proving that the light sensor is malfunctioning (may or may not get you out of a ticket). If the signals do respond and you just don't have the patience to wait and no one is around to see it, I can't really fault you for going through. I'll do the same when there really is no one around (which isn't often at the times I ride though).
I ride mainly in rural areas so the traffic light issue is not a problem for me. However, I remember when I was in drivers ed back in the late 90s being told by our instructor that technically after 5 minutes you are allowed to run the light if it hasn't turned. I doubt this is true but for some reason it stuck with me. Also for frame of reference I'm in Indiana.