What To Do When Traffic Lights Go Dark In Wyoming

Driving is a privilege. It's convenient and time-saving; it's hard to think of a time when vehicles weren't on the road. The history of the automobile is fascinating, and goes back to Germany in the 1880s.

Another fascinating aspect of history is the rules of the road. As automobiles became popular and their numbers multiplied, the need for regulations became apparent to ensure everyone's safety. Looking out for the drivers, passengers, pedestrians, personal property, animals, and other automobiles became a priority. This is why driver's education classes are in place today.

Even though some people may not seem to have retained anything from their driver's education because of their dangerous driving, they still had to learn the rights and wrongs of driving.

During the recent power outage that affected a large portion of Wyoming and a few surrounding states, one of those basic 'rules of the road' that many drivers had forgotten came into play.

According to WYDOT, most of the traffic signals (stoplights) have a battery backup system and will remain powered for as long as the battery lasts. Meaning, if the power is out for an extended period of time, the lights will go out.

What the heck do you do when the traffic lights are out or are flashing?

If you drive through Casper overnight, you'll encounter flashing lights. Many of the traffic lights are set to begin flashing around 11 p.m., with one street flashing yellow and the cross street flashing red. I've seen it happen many times, when the person driving on the street with the red flashing light keeps going, as if they don't have to stop for oncoming traffic.

If you're unsure how to handle these lights, it's dangerous for you and everyone else on the road. Here are a couple of scenarios, and how you need to handle the situation.

TRAFFIC SIGNALS OFF

• When the power is out and the lights are off, treat the intersection as a four-way stop, with the first vehicle to arrive going through first.
• Next to go is the vehicle that arrives next.
• If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right has the right of way.

TRAFFIC SIGNALS FLASHING - ALL RED

• Treated like a four-way stop, with the first vehicle to arrive going through the intersection first.
• Next to go is the vehicle that arrives next.
• If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right has the right of way.

TRAFFIC SIGNALS FLASHING - 2 RED 2 YELLOW

• Treated like a two-way stop and two-way yield.
• Vehicles with yellow flashing lights do not stop; they only yield to the intersection with caution, remaining alert to other cars, pedestrians, and hazards.
• Vehicles with the red flashing lights DO stop, as if there was a stop sign.
• The vehicle that approaches the red flashing light first is the first to go through the intersection.

TRAFFIC SIGNALS FLASHING - YELLOW

• Yellow flashing traffic lights mean to proceed with caution.
• You don't have to stop, but you should slow down and be alert for other vehicles, pedestrians, or other hazards.