What do you do if the traffic lights are out at an intersection?

When traffic lights are out at an intersection, treating it 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 and yield the right of way based on the sequence of arrival. The first vehicle to arrive and stop at the intersection has the right of way to proceed, and if two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the priority. This procedure helps ensure safety and order at intersections where normal signals are not operational, minimizing the risk of accidents and confusion among drivers.

In contrast, continuing to drive as normal could lead to dangerous situations, as drivers may not be aware of the absence of signals and collisions could occur. Yielding to the first vehicle does relate to a stop scenario but does not fully capture the necessary actions required for all vehicles at an intersection. Calling traffic enforcement is also not an immediate solution for safely navigating the intersection; instead, it is vital for drivers to independently ensure their own safety and the safety of others at that moment.