What to do if the traffic lights are out?

We’re so used to relying on the red, yellow and green sequence, what do you do when the lights are out?

With plenty of wild weather about, we’ve been asked this question quite a lot!

If there’s an accident or power outage, and the traffic lights at an intersection stop working, who has the right of way?

Conveniently the rule is the same in all states and territories and applies if the lights are flashing amber, or if they are completely out.

Australian Road Rule 63 notes:

• Giving way at an intersection with traffic lights not operating or only partly operating

• If there is no traffic light-stop sign at the intersection, the driver must give way to vehicles and pedestrians at or near the intersection in accordance with rule 72 or 73 as if the intersection were an intersection without traffic lights, or a stop sign, stop line, give way sign or give way line.

• Rules 72 and 73 deal with giving way at an intersection (except a roundabout) without traffic lights, or a stop sign, stop line, give way sign or give way line applying to the driver.

View the Australian Road Rule 63 here.

Basically, if you come to an intersection where the traffic lights are non-functional (or flashing amber), treat it as an intersection with a give-way way. This means you can slow down, give way to traffic on your right, and continue through the intersection when clear.

Note that if there is no traffic, “there is no requirement under Division 1 of this Part for a driver to stop for a flashing yellow traffic light or traffic lights that are not operating.”

However, if the intersection features a ‘traffic light stop sign’ as pictured below, you need to observe the stop sign rule before entering the intersection.

That said, don’t assume that everyone knows or obeys the rules, so always approach an intersection with no lights with caution.

If you need to turn right and are worried about through traffic not slowing or stopping, perhaps consider making the turn before or after the junction without lights, so that you can more easily make a left turn. This can be particularly useful at complex, multi-lane intersections, where turning left and perhaps making a u-turn in a side street can be safer and easier than trying to negotiate a large intersection with no signals.

Keep in mind that if police officers are present and are directing traffic, their hand and whistle signals become the direction for the intersection, even if power returns to the lights.

The post What to do if the traffic lights are out? appeared first on Drive.

Tweet

Subscribe to receive free email updates: