Anything can happen on the roads: traffic lights go out, road markings fade, and signs get hidden under snow or dirt. In such moments, many drivers get lost and start acting on intuition — which often leads to accidents. But the Rules of the Road give clear answers to the question: who should yield to whom if the traffic light is not working.
Signs decide everything
The first thing to do when approaching a non-working traffic light is to look for priority signs. If there is a sign “Main road”, “Yield” or “STOP” before the intersection, it is these signs that determine the order of movement.
If you see a “Yield” or “STOP” sign — you must yield to all vehicles moving on the main road. This is directly stated in paragraph 16.11 of the Traffic Rules. There are no exceptions here: even if the traffic light is flashing or completely off, the signs remain in force.
The “right-hand rule” for equal intersections
But what if there are no signs? Then the intersection is considered equal, and the “right-hand rule” comes into force (paragraph 16.12 of the Traffic Rules). In other words: if there is a vehicle to your right — it has priority. If the right is empty — you can go.
This rule works regardless of the direction of movement of other participants. The main thing is to pay attention to the side view and not rush.
The tram is always right — almost always
A special case is the tram. At a non-working traffic light, it has priority over cars, regardless of which direction it is going. Exception — intersections with roundabouts, where their own rules apply.
If nothing is visible — consider yourself secondary
Sometimes, due to weather, darkness or poor visibility, it is impossible to determine which road is the main one. In such a situation, paragraph 16.15 of the Traffic Rules recommends considering yourself to be on a secondary road. That is — yield to everyone. Safety is more important than speed.
Yellow light — not always stop
Let's remember: the yellow signal of the traffic light does not always mean a mandatory stop. If you are already close to the stop line and cannot brake without emergency braking — the Traffic Rules allow you to continue moving. The main thing is not to create an emergency situation.
Minibuses and stops: when to yield is mandatory
A separate issue is the departure of minibuses from parking lots. Here, too, there are nuances: you need to yield to them only in those cases where this is directly provided for by the rules or road conditions. Do not automatically yield the right of way — it is important to assess the situation.
Knowledge of these simple rules can save lives — yours and other road users. Do not rely on luck: study the Traffic Rules, especially the sections on intersections and priorities. The road does not forgive mistakes.
