In January, there were several days with very strong winds, gusting to 50-60 mph in parts of Franklin, Essex and Clinton counties. This resulted in numerous power outages. As a result, traffic signals, in some cases, were inoperable. It is a rare occurrence when traffic signal lights are not working, but many drivers do not know what to do when approaching such an intersection.

Section 1117 of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) mandates that when an intersection has a malfunctioning or out-of-service traffic control signal, unless directed to proceed by a police officer, motorists must stop as if an all-way stop sign was present. That means all drivers must yield the right of way as they should at an all-way stop sign.

In this case, you must yield to any vehicle already in the intersection; otherwise, the first vehicle to arrive at an all-way stop sign goes first. However, if two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, drivers shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right.

If you and another vehicle arrive at the intersection at the same time and you’re across from each other (rather than one to the right and one to the left), pay attention to the traveling direction of the other car by watching for turn signal indications. If it is going straight or right and you are also proceeding straight or right, you can both travel forward because you won’t cross each other’s path.

At their January meetings, both the Clinton County and Franklin County Traffic Safety Boards discussed the issue of drivers not knowing what to do when encountering an inoperable traffic signal. Although I have addressed this law previously, the Franklin County TSB requested another article on this subject to try to educate or remind drivers on what to do.

The requirement for all drivers to treat inoperable traffic signals as an all-way stop intersection is just common-sense safety. Just think how dangerous it would be if motorists on intersecting streets or roads assumed they had the right-of-way at a light that was not working.

If you read this article, you now know what to do. Tell your family and friends — they also need to know.

AARP’s Driver Safety course not only reminds participants of this and many other rules, but also reinforces the information with a series of knowledge checks during in-class sessions. Driver safety courses will resume in late April at various locations in northern New York State. Such refresher courses are critical to drivers of all ages and are highly recommended, not just for the insurance discount for course participants.