What should you do if a traffic signal is not functioning at an intersection?

What should you do if a traffic signal is not functioning at an intersection?

• A. Follow the car ahead.
• B. Continue through as if nothing is wrong.
• C. Treat the intersection as a four-way stop; come to a complete stop and proceed with caution when it is safe.
• D. Wait for a police officer to direct you.

Answer: (C)

When a traffic signal isn’t working, the intersection should be treated like a four-way stop to establish clear right-of-way and avoid crashes. You must come to a complete stop, check for other vehicles and pedestrians, and then proceed only when it’s safe. The rules of who goes first apply: the first vehicle to stop and arrive at the intersection goes first, and if vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the driver on your right. If the way is clear with no other traffic, proceed carefully after stopping. This approach keeps behavior predictable and reduces the risk of collisions. Choosing to follow the car ahead, or to keep moving without stopping, ignores the lost signal’s guidance and increases the chance of a crash. Waiting for a police officer isn’t required unless an officer is directing traffic; in that case, follow the officer’s directions.

When a traffic signal isn’t working, the intersection should be treated like a four-way stop to establish clear right-of-way and avoid crashes. You must come to a complete stop, check for other vehicles and pedestrians, and then proceed only when it’s safe. The rules of who goes first apply: the first vehicle to stop and arrive at the intersection goes first, and if vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the driver on your right. If the way is clear with no other traffic, proceed carefully after stopping. This approach keeps behavior predictable and reduces the risk of collisions.

Choosing to follow the car ahead, or to keep moving without stopping, ignores the lost signal’s guidance and increases the chance of a crash. Waiting for a police officer isn’t required unless an officer is directing traffic; in that case, follow the officer’s directions.