What to Do at an Intersection With Flashing Lights
Intersections with flashing traffic signals can confuse even the most experienced drivers. Whether the signal is due to a power outage, roadwork, or intentional design, understanding how to respond to it is essential for road safety in Rock Hill and throughout South Carolina.
Here’s what every driver should know before encountering flashing red or yellow signals at an intersection.
What Does a Flashing Red Light Mean?
A flashing red light at an intersection functions just like a stop sign. South Carolina law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at the stop line or crosswalk, or before entering the intersection. Once stopped, the driver must yield to any traffic or pedestrians who have the right of way.
If two or more vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the standard right-of-way rules apply: the vehicle on the right has the go-ahead. Pedestrians always have the right of way when crossing within a marked crosswalk.
Failure to follow these rules can lead to serious crashes, including:
- T-bone collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Failure-to-yield accidents
Taking a moment to stop and assess your surroundings at a flashing red light can help prevent these accidents.
What Does a Flashing Yellow Light Mean?
When drivers ask what a flashing yellow light means, the answer is simple: use caution. Unlike a steady yellow light that warns that the signal is about to turn red, a flashing yellow light indicates that a driver may proceed but must do so cautiously.
A flashing yellow light at an intersection means there’s no need to stop unless conditions require it.
However, drivers should:
- Slow down when approaching the intersection
- Be prepared to stop if necessary
- Yield to cross traffic if required
These intersections often appear during off-peak hours or in areas with reduced traffic. However, the risk of a crash still exists, especially if one side of the intersection has a flashing red signal and the other a flashing yellow.
In these cases, the flashing yellow lane has priority, but drivers should still yield if another vehicle or pedestrian has already entered the intersection.
Common Reasons for Flashing Traffic Lights
Flashing signals are often used temporarily or as a fail-safe in various situations.
Drivers in Rock Hill may encounter them in places and scenarios like:
- Power outages: When signals go dark, most intersections default to flashing red lights.
- School zones: Flashing yellow lights are often used to alert drivers to reduced speed limits during school hours.
- Construction zones: Temporary signals may flash to redirect or alert drivers when there are changes in road patterns.
- Traffic signal malfunctions: If the traffic signal system is damaged or has been reset, it may flash until full service is restored.
Each of these situations calls for heightened awareness and slower speeds. If in doubt, treat the intersection like a four-way stop.
Flashing Lights Shouldn’t Be Guesswork
The next time you see flashing traffic signals at a Rock Hill intersection, knowing what they mean could prevent a life-altering accident. Whether they’re being told to stop or proceed with caution, drivers who understand these rules will be better prepared to make safe choices.
What to Do After an Intersection Crash
Despite drivers’ best efforts, accidents can happen, especially when road users are unclear about the rules.
Following a crash at an intersection with flashing lights, it’s essential to:
- Check for injuries and move to a safer location.
- Call 911 and wait for law enforcement to make an accident report.
- Exchange information with the other parties involved.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene.
- Get the names and contact info of anyone who witnessed the accident.
Law enforcement often relies on physical evidence, traffic signal reports, and witness statements to determine fault. This can be complicated if both drivers claim to have had the right of way.
Contact The Rock Hill Car Accident Lawyers At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys For Help Today
If you have been injured because someone did not yield to flashing lights, call Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation. We can help you navigate your legal claim and pursue the compensation you deserve.
For more information, please contact our car accident lawyers in South Carolina and North Carolina at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
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