How should you handle an intersection when traffic lights are out?

When traffic lights are out, it's essential to treat the intersection as a four-way stop. This means that all drivers must come to a complete stop and yield to any vehicles to their right. This method ensures that traffic flows safely and minimizes the potential for accidents, as it creates a clear and consistent procedure for drivers to follow when the usual signals are not operational.

In the absence of traffic signals, treating the intersection as a four-way stop provides a predictable format that all drivers can understand. Yielding to traffic on the right is a standard rule in scenarios where stop signs or signals are not functioning, ensuring that all vehicles have a fair opportunity to proceed safely.

Following the guidance of a traffic control officer would be the correct course of action if one is present, but when there are no working lights and no officer, it reverts to the established rules of the road for unmanaged intersections. Ignoring traffic rules or proceeding through the intersection without stopping would not only be unsafe but could also lead to serious accidents and legal repercussions.