What Do I Do When a Traffic Light is Out?

What Do I Do When a Traffic Light is Out?

On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | May 13, 2025 | Car Accidents

If you encounter a traffic light that is not working in the State of Florida, you are required to treat it the same way you would a four-way stop – to avoid confusion and to decrease the risk that accidents will occur. If you or someone you care about was injured by another driver’s negligence at a broken traffic light – or anywhere else – turn to the professional legal guidance of an experienced Port St. Lucie car accident attorney.

Florida Storms and Traffic Signals 

Florida is well known for the storm systems it experiences, and traffic lights are often affected – although many factors can contribute to defective traffic lights throughout the state. The bottom line is that Floridians need to know how to respond safely to traffic lights that are either out or flashing. 

If the Light Is Out

If you come to a traffic light that is simply not working, everyone must stop – then each of you must take turns passing through the intersection or turning through it according to who arrived first – just like you would at a four-way stop. If you arrive at the intersection at the same time as other drivers, the right-most vehicle has the right-of-way.

If the Light Is Flashing

If the traffic light in question has a flashing red light, the same rules apply, and you should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. If, however, the light is flashing yellow, you must proceed with caution, which includes slowing down and stopping if you need to. At a yellow flashing light, you must wait until traffic allows your safe passage. 

Putting Safety First

If you encounter traffic lights that are not working at all or that are flashing either red or yellow, always put safety first, which includes pausing to ensure that other drivers are following the rules before moving through the intersection. Ultimately, it is far better to be safe than sorry, and trusting others on the road to obey the rules without fail can put you at serious risk. 

There are too many negligent motorists out there to proceed without employing ample caution, and they come in all the following varieties:

• Drunk drivers
• Distracted drivers
• Speeding drivers
• Drowsy drivers
• Aggressive drivers
• Drivers who fail to follow the rules of the road

An Experienced Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyer Is on Your Side

If you come upon a broken traffic light, your primary concern should always be safety, which means treating the intersection like a four-way stop and proceeding with caution when it is your turn to do so. If you have been injured by another driver’s negligence, the proactive Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys at Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa dedicate their practice to helping clients like you recover compensation for their full range of physical, financial, and emotional losses – in support of their most complete recoveries. 

Your case is important to your future, so please contact us online or call 866-640-7117 for more information about what we can do to help you today.