Tennessee Permit Practice Test

What should you do if a traffic signal is out of order?

1. Treat the intersection as a four-way stop

2. Continue driving as if it were green

3. Stop only if another car is present

4. Call law enforcement

The correct answer is: Treat the intersection as a four-way stop

When a traffic signal is out of order, treating the intersection as a four-way stop is the appropriate action to take. This means that all vehicles approaching the intersection must come to a complete stop before proceeding, which helps ensure safety and order among drivers. It allows each driver to yield to the vehicle on their right and proceed in an organized manner, reducing the risk of accidents that can occur when traffic signals are not functioning. Options that suggest continuing through the intersection as if the signal were green or stopping only when another car is present fail to recognize the potential dangers of a non-functioning traffic signal. These actions could lead to confusion and increase the likelihood of collisions, as vehicles may not be aware of when to yield or proceed. Reporting the issue to law enforcement may be beneficial, but it is not an immediate action that helps manage traffic flow at that moment. Therefore, the response of treating the intersection as a four-way stop is the most responsible and safety-conscious choice.