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

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

• A. Continue through as if nothing is wrong.
• B. Follow the car ahead.
• 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 functioning, the safest approach is to treat the intersection as an all-way stop. Stop completely, then proceed only when the intersection is clear and you have the right of way. Look in every direction for other vehicles and pedestrians, and yield to vehicles that arrived first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right. Move through cautiously when it’s safe, and continue to watch for any unexpected moves from others. If a police officer is directing traffic, follow their instructions, since they override normal rules. The other options can lead to confusion or collisions because there’s no working signal to regulate who goes first.

When a traffic signal isn’t functioning, the safest approach is to treat the intersection as an all-way stop. Stop completely, then proceed only when the intersection is clear and you have the right of way. Look in every direction for other vehicles and pedestrians, and yield to vehicles that arrived first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right. Move through cautiously when it’s safe, and continue to watch for any unexpected moves from others. If a police officer is directing traffic, follow their instructions, since they override normal rules. The other options can lead to confusion or collisions because there’s no working signal to regulate who goes first.