Tipp of the Week-Traffic lights not working

Hello, Tipp City! Marc the Cop here,

Now that the snowstorm is over and power has been restored, I want to address what to do when the power is out at traffic signal-controlled intersections.

Power outages don’t just darken living rooms and refrigerators—they can also knock out traffic signals. When that happens, confusion can quickly escalate into fender benders or worse. Knowing how to handle a red or flashing traffic light helps keep everyone safer and traffic moving smoothly. Here’s what to do when the lights go dark—or start blinking.

When the light is completely out: If a traffic signal is dark because of a power failure, the intersection becomes a four-way stop. 

Every driver must come to a complete stop before proceeding. The first vehicle to stop goes first. If two cars arrive at the same time, the driver on the right has the right-of-way. This rule applies to all directions, even on busy multi-lane roads. Don’t assume cross traffic will stop—make eye contact if possible and move cautiously.

When the light is flashing red: A flashing red signal means stop, just like a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop behind the stop line or crosswalk, check for pedestrians and other vehicles, and proceed only when it is safe. Each direction with a flashing red light must take turns. Many drivers mistakenly treat a flashing red as a suggestion rather than a command, but legally and safely, it is a stop sign in every sense.

When the light is flashing yellow: A flashing yellow signal means caution, not stop. You may proceed through the intersection without stopping, but you must slow down and be alert for cross traffic, pedestrians, or emergency vehicles. Typically, a flashing yellow signal is paired with a flashing red signal on the cross street. That means you have the right-of-way, but you should never barrel through at full speed. Someone else may misunderstand the signal or fail to stop.

Extra safety tips: Slow down early. Intersections with malfunctioning lights are unpredictable. Watch for pedestrians and cyclists. They may assume vehicles will stop—or may not know who has the right-of-way. Yield to emergency vehicles. Sirens and flashing lights override all signals. Don’t wave others through out of turn. It may seem polite, but it can confuse other drivers and lead to accidents. Be patient. Traffic may back up quickly, and frustration leads to risky decisions.

Why this matters: Most intersection accidents during outages happen because drivers treat the situation as “no rules apply.” In reality, the rules still exist—they change. Flashing red equals stop. Flashing yellow equals proceed with caution. Dark lights equal a four-way stop. Simple rules, big safety payoff.

The next time a storm or power outage knocks out traffic lights, remember: slow down, follow the flashing signals, and treat dark intersections like stop signs. A few extra seconds of caution could prevent hours of paperwork—and possibly save a life.

The 9 PM routine is a nightly reminder for residents to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicle doors, secure their residences, turn on exterior lights, and activate all alarms and security systems. 

That is all for this week! Please be safe and care for one another. 

I'll see you in church on Sunday!

Sgt. Marc Basye (Ret.)

Do you have a suggestion for the Tip of the Week? Your input is valuable to us. You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com! The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.