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Rules of the Road: What to do when a traffic signal is down

CBS19 received a question after a traffic signal went down in Tyler as to what should drivers do in that situation.

TYLER, Texas — Whether caused by storms or technical issues, it is an understood reality that traffic signals will go out at some point.

After City of Tyler had a light down at Broadway Avenue and 8th Street, Fran Reed reached out to CBS 19. She says she witnessed several cars drive through the intersection without stopping.

“It’s a nightmare,” Reed said.

She wanted to know what the Tyler Police Department does in these situations.

According to Tyler Police Public Information Officer Don Martin, the department tries to send an officer to direct traffic if a light goes out at the larger and busier intersections.

“We don’t want to have another bad wreck, or a bad wreck,” Martin said.

The first thing, Martin recommends drivers to do if a traffic signal is not working is to look for flashing lights or an officer directing traffic. 

If there is not an officer at the scene, he says then people should call the department.

“Because we may not be aware of it,” Martin explained. “Get on the phone and say, 'Hey, just calling to make sure that you are aware the lights are out.'”

Once a driver makes it to the intersection, he says it should be treated as a stop sign or four-way stop even at the larger areas that have multiple lanes travelling in the same directions.

“The rule is that the first one that approaches the intersection first and stops, they are the one that goes first,” Martin said. “That’s common courtesy that you usually yield to the right.”

He also urges drivers to use caution, especially if police are directing traffic.

“The officers are out in the middle of the intersection unprotected and they don’t want to get hit either.”

If you have an issued you would like CBS 19 to address, call our helpline at 903-600-2600.

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