If a traffic signal is out, how many vehicles must stop?

When a traffic signal is out, all vehicles approaching the intersection must come to a complete stop, treating the signal as a four-way stop. This is essential to ensure safety, as the absence of a functional traffic signal can lead to confusion and increase the risk of accidents at intersections. All drivers are required to assess the situation, yield to any pedestrians, and proceed only when it is safe to do so. This rule helps maintain order and ensures that all vehicles have an equal opportunity to navigate through the intersection safely, regardless of the direction they are coming from.

While it might be tempting to think some vehicles could proceed without stopping, doing so would ignore the fundamental principle of ensuring safety and clear right-of-way among all vehicles present. Therefore, the requirement for all vehicles to stop is critical in maintaining traffic flow and preventing collisions when a signal is non-operational.