What should you do if a traffic light is out?

When a traffic light is out, treating the intersection as if it were a four-way stop is the appropriate action to take. This means that all vehicles approaching the intersection must come to a complete stop and then proceed with caution. This approach is critical for ensuring safety at intersections where the usual traffic rules are interrupted due to inoperative signals.

In situations where a traffic light is malfunctioning, drivers may not have a clear indication of who has the right of way. By observing the four-way stop rule, it allows for organized and predictable movement of vehicles, decreasing the likelihood of confusion or accidents.

Recognizing that other options would lead to unsafe driving behaviors is crucial. Ignoring traffic signals or proceeding as usual without coming to a stop disregards the necessary precautions that keep all road users safe. Speeding through the intersection would significantly increase the risk of a collision and compromises the basic traffic control principles that are meant to manage traffic flow. Thus, treating the intersection as a four-way stop is both the legal requirement and the safest choice.