New York DMV Permit Written TestRoad SignsHard
You are driving on a two-lane road at night and encounter a traffic signal that is completely dark, with no lights showing at all. What is the correct procedure for proceeding through this intersection?
- ATreat it as a four-way stop, yielding to vehicles already in the intersection or to your right.
- BProceed through the intersection without stopping, but with extreme caution.
- CStop and wait for emergency services to direct traffic.
- DTreat it as a yield sign, slowing down and yielding to cross traffic.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Treat it as a four-way stop, yielding to vehicles already in the intersection or to your right.
A completely dark traffic signal should be treated as a four-way stop intersection. You must stop, then proceed when it is safe, yielding to any vehicles already in the intersection or to vehicles on your right if you arrive at the same time.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Proceeding without stopping is illegal and extremely dangerous.
- C. While emergency services might eventually arrive, you cannot simply wait; you must proceed safely following the rules for a four-way stop.
- D. A yield sign requires slowing and yielding, but a dark signal requires a full stop, like a stop sign.
Dark Traffic Signal
A traffic signal that is completely unlit due to power failure or malfunction, requiring drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
- Requires a full stop before proceeding.
- Yield to vehicles already in the intersection.
- If arriving at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.
Memory trick: Dark Signal? Stop All Ways, Yield Always!