Safety Tips For When Traffic Signals Are Out

Yesterday's tornadoes left a wake of traffic lights that are out because of power outages. North Carolinians aren't strangers to weather related power outages and we know that the best thing is to just not drive where traffic lights are out. Not driving in those areas will keep you safe and will free emergency resources from having to deal with traffic so that they can deal with the emergency.

Of course there are going to be times when you have to drive through intersections when the traffic signals are out and the North Carolina Department of Transportation recommends you follow these right of way rules:

1) The first vehicle to the intersection has the right of way;
2) When two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right of way;
3) The vehicle with the right of way may move straight ahead or, if legal, may turn right or left after signaling;
4) When two facing vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, both drivers can move straight ahead or turn right. If one driver is going straight while the other wants to turn left, the driver who wants to turn left must wait. The driver who is traveling straight ahead has the right of way; and
5) Even with the right of way, remember to use the appropriate turn signals and be careful to avoid hitting other vehicles and pedestrians.

An additional resource that NCDOT makes available to drivers are regular updates through Twitter. Fayetteville drivers can follow NCDOT Fayetteville @NCDOT_Fayville

Drive safely and thanks for reading,
Eric
____________________________
Eric L. Johnson
Attorney at Law
914 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC 28305
Tel: (910) 691-8600
Fax: (910) 222-3059
Email: elj@eljlaw.com
Web: http://www.eljlaw.com