Lights out: who gives way?
If there’s a power outage or a car crash, the traffic lights at a busy intersection might stop working. But do you know who gives way in this scenario?
Answer the question below, then read on to find out the answer.
While some motorists might believe the blue car needs to give way because it’s entering the intersection from Grange Road – a smaller road – this isn’t the case.
If you come to a crossroad where the lights aren’t working or flashing yellow, you need to treat it like you would an intersection with no traffic lights.
This means that for drivers travelling straight ahead – like in the example above, they must give way to any other vehicle approaching from their right.
This means the red car needs to give way to the blue car in the above scenario, as the blue car is approaching from the right.
What do I do in in other scenarios?
If you’re turning left at a crossroad where the traffic lights aren’t working (other than from a slip lane), you must give way to any vehicle approaching from the right or any pedestrian or cyclist crossing the road the driver is entering.
When turning left from a slip lane, you must also give way to any vehicle turning right at the intersection on to the road the you’re entering, and any pedestrian or cyclist on or entering the slip lane.
Turning right? You must give way to any vehicle approaching from the right, any oncoming vehicle going straight ahead or turning left (other than from a slip lane), and any pedestrian or cyclist crossing the road you’re entering.
Anything else to remember?
If police are present at an intersection where the lights are out, road users must obey any reasonable direction for the safe and efficient regulation of traffic, whether or not they are contravening the above rules.
Lastly, when approaching an intersection where the traffic lights are either out or flashing yellow, slow down, give way to traffic on your right and continue through the intersection when it’s clear.