Practice question

If you face an intersection with a non-operational traffic signal, what should you do?

  1. Speed through the intersection
  2. Stop and proceed only when safe
  3. Wait for another vehicle to act first
  4. Ignore the signal

Answer: B — Stop and proceed only when safe

When approaching an intersection with a non-operational traffic signal, the correct action is to stop and proceed only when it's safe to do so. In this situation, the non-operational signal is treated as a four-way stop. This means that all vehicles must come to a complete stop and yield to any traffic coming from the right. If there are no vehicles present or if it's clear to proceed, you can then move through the intersection safely. For drivers, this procedure ensures that everyone at the intersection has a chance to assess the situation and make safe decisions, thereby minimizing the risk of accidents. The approach emphasizes caution and defensive driving, which are critical in any driving context, especially at potentially confusing intersections lacking functional signals.

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