Florida Bad Weather Driving: What to When a Traffic Signal Isn’t Working

Tourists flock to West Palm Beach because of our beautiful weather. Unfortunately, our weather isn't always perfect - it's been a wet month. We escaped the wrath of Hurricane Irene, but the West Palm Beach area has seen wave after wave of tropical storms. Hurricanes and severe storms not only cause slippery roads; in some cases, they can affect traffic signals.

During Hurricane Irene, a 15-year-old girl lost her life in North Carolina when her family's car crashed into another vehicle at an intersection. The traffic light had lost power, which contributed to the cause of the accident.

Do you know what to do if a traffic light is out? 
If a signal is completely disabled because of high winds or a power outage, the intersection should be treated as a four-way stop. If there are no law enforcement officers or traffic directors at the intersection, drivers should stop before going through the intersection as if they had a stop sign.

If the signal is flashing, drivers with a flashing red light must stop and yield. Drivers with a flashing yellow light have the right-of-way, but should proceed with caution and be aware of other vehicles.

For more stormy weather and hurricane driving tips, see our article, "Preventing West Palm Beach Car Accidents: Tips for Hurricane Driving." (Link to Library Article 2, not yet uploaded.)

Bad weather is no excuse for bad driving. If you are injured in a West Palm Beach traffic accident caused by a reckless driver, that driver should be held accountable. A Florida personal injury attorney can help. To discuss your claim with a car accident attorney in West Palm Beach, contact the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb at 800-GOLD-LAW.