Question

Difficulty: MediumRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

When approaching an intersection where traffic signals are completely unpowered and non-operational due to a power outage, drivers must treat the intersection as an all-way stop.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True. Non-operational traffic signals due to power outages must be treated as an all-way stop by all approaching drivers.
When a traffic control signal stops functioning completely due to a power failure, state DMV regulations specify that it defaults to an all-way stop rule. All drivers approaching the intersection must come to a full stop before entering and yield right-of-way according to standard stop-sign precedence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the intersection control condition
The traffic signals are unpowered and completely dark due to a power outage.
Recognizing signal failure changes the standard right-of-way rules governing the signalized intersection.
2
Apply the statutory rule for signal failure
Drivers must treat the dark intersection as a four-way (all-way) stop.
Traffic safety codes establish this rule to ensure predictable stopping order and prevent broadside collisions when automated signal control fails.
3
Evaluate the statement's accuracy
The statement accurately describes the legal requirement for handling non-operational traffic lights.
Since the statement matches official DMV right-of-way standards, it is true.

Key Concept

Right-of-Way at Inoperative Traffic Signals
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