Disabled Traffic Signal Becomes a Four-Way Stop

Power outages happen frequently in SW Florida and elsewhere nationwide. What does a driver do when power is out and the traffic light does not work? Treat the intersection as a four-way stop sign.

Who goes first? There is a standard order for vehicles to proceed safely through the intersection. One must first come to a full and complete stop. Then use this order as compiled from the Florida Driver Safety Manual and the AARP Driver Safety Program:

First- the first car to the intersection is the first to go.

Second- if two cars get to the intersection at the same time, drivers must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on their right (right has the right-of-way)

Third- if two cars get to the intersection at the same time from opposite directions, vehicles turning should yield the right-of-way to vehicles going straight. Vehicles going straight have the right-of-way.

Be cautious of protected routes where one direction may have a yield sign or a flashing red or yellow signal. These signals take precedence over these rules.

Remember that one must not take the right-of-way, the other driver must GIVE the right-of-way.

Keep the roads and highways safer. Take a driving course to sharpen your skills and update your knowledge. Take a friend and make your roads safer for everyone.

This is Rob G asking you to Drive Like Me.