Florida Class E Knowledge ExamFlorida Road RulesMedium

You are driving on a Florida roadway and approach an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark (not working). What action should you take?

  1. AMake a right turn only, then find an alternate route.
  2. BTreat the intersection as a four-way stop.
  3. CYield to traffic on the main road and then proceed.
  4. DProceed cautiously through the intersection without stopping.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. Treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

When a traffic signal is completely dark or not working, Florida law requires drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop. This means all drivers must stop before entering the intersection and yield the right-of-way according to the rules of a four-way stop.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Restricting to a right turn is not the correct procedure; all movements are possible after treating it as a four-way stop.
  • C. While yielding is part of a four-way stop, simply yielding to main road traffic is insufficient; a full stop is required for all approaches.
  • D. Proceeding without stopping is unsafe and illegal when a signal is dark.

Dark Traffic Signal (Florida)

A completely dark or inoperative traffic signal in Florida must be treated as a four-way stop by all approaching drivers.

  • All drivers must stop.
  • Proceed when safe, following four-way stop rules.
  • Helps prevent collisions during signal outages.

Memory trick: Dark signal, stop sign; everyone halts, then takes their turn.

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