How should you treat a traffic signal that is out of order?

How should you treat a traffic signal that is out of order?

• A. Continue driving without stopping
• B. Use caution but do not stop
• C. Treat it as a four-way stop
• D. Call for help to report the issue

Answer: (C)

When a traffic signal is out of order, it creates an uncontrolled intersection, where there are no functioning traffic lights to dictate right-of-way. The proper way to handle this situation is to treat it as a four-way stop. This means that all vehicles approaching the intersection must come to a complete stop before proceeding. The first vehicle to arrive at the intersection has the right of way, and if two or more vehicles arrive simultaneously, drivers should follow the general rules of yielding the right of way to the vehicle on their right. This approach ensures safety and promotes orderly traffic flow at an intersection where signals are non-functional, reducing the likelihood of accidents as drivers communicate their intentions through stopping and signaling. Understanding this rule is crucial for maintaining safety on the roads, especially in scenarios where signals fail or are not present.

When a traffic signal is out of order, it creates an uncontrolled intersection, where there are no functioning traffic lights to dictate right-of-way. The proper way to handle this situation is to treat it as a four-way stop. This means that all vehicles approaching the intersection must come to a complete stop before proceeding. The first vehicle to arrive at the intersection has the right of way, and if two or more vehicles arrive simultaneously, drivers should follow the general rules of yielding the right of way to the vehicle on their right.

This approach ensures safety and promotes orderly traffic flow at an intersection where signals are non-functional, reducing the likelihood of accidents as drivers communicate their intentions through stopping and signaling. Understanding this rule is crucial for maintaining safety on the roads, especially in scenarios where signals fail or are not present.