You approach an intersection where the traffic light is dark and not working. How should you treat it?
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A.
As a four-way stop, coming to a complete stop before proceeding. Correct
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B.
Wait at the intersection until a police officer directs you through.
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C.
Continue at your posted speed because no signal is in effect.
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D.
As a yield sign, slowing down and continuing when the way is clear.
The answer is "As a four-way stop, coming to a complete stop before proceeding."
A dark traffic light is treated as a four-way stop. Come to a complete stop, then take turns per the four-way-stop rules. Drivers who pick D read 'broken' as 'unregulated' and reach for the least demanding rule instead of the strictest one the manual actually assigns.
The traps in the wrong answers
B. Wait at the intersection until a police officer directs you through.
The manual gives a rule you use on your own: treat it as a four-way stop and proceed in turn. This answer assumes an unpowered signal is unusable without an officer, so drivers wait indefinitely.
C. Continue at your posted speed because no signal is in effect.
A dark signal still controls the intersection; the manual assigns four-way-stop rules in that case. This answer reads 'no signal' as 'no rule' and treats the intersection as if it were entirely uncontrolled.
D. As a yield sign, slowing down and continuing when the way is clear.
The manual upgrades the dark signal to a four-way stop, which is stricter than a yield. This answer assumes 'broken' means 'unregulated,' so the driver picks the least demanding rule instead of the strictest.
This question tests your knowledge of Right of Way in Pennsylvania. Source: Pennsylvania Driver Manual, "Signals: Non-Functioning Traffic Lights," p.8..
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