Traffic Light Failure Becomes a Four-Way Stop

Power outages happen frequently in SW Florida and elsewhere nationwide. What does a driver do when power is out and the traffic light does not work? Treat the intersection as a four-way stop sign.

Who goes first? There is a standard order for vehicles to proceed safely through the intersection. One must first come to a full and complete stop. Then use this order as compiled from the Florida Driver Safety Manual and the AARP Driver Safety Program:

First- the first car to the intersection is the first to go.

Second- if two cars get to the intersection at the same time, drivers must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on their right (right has the right-of-way)

Third- if two cars get to the intersection at the same time from opposite directions, vehicles turning should yield the right-of-way to vehicles going straight. Vehicles going straight have the right-of-way.

Be cautious of protected routes where one direction may have a yield sign or a flashing red or yellow signal. These signals take precedence over these rules.

Remember that one must not take the right-of-way, the other driver must GIVE the right-of-way.

Keep the roads and highways safer. Take a driving course to sharpen your skills and update your knowledge. Take a friend and make your roads safer for everyone.

This is Rob G asking you to Drive Like Me.

The First Role Model- GMC SUV from Florida

I observe drivers who do very well and some who commit unsafe acts. I recently observed a safe driver who anticipated a backup behind a slow-moving vehicle and took action to help. The driver of the GMC SUV increased his following distance and allowed a driver to merge in at highway speeds. The same driver could have sped up and cut off the other driver but chose to act in a safe and responsible manner.
These advances techniques come either from years of experience or from excellent driver training. Either way, congratulations to this Role Model as the first ever on this website.

Safe travels!
Rob G.

Ask your friends to read the driving tips at www.DriveLikeMe.com