Navigating Intersections Safely After Hurricane Helene: Important Highway Protocol for Power Outages

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, communities across the Upstate are grappling with ongoing power outages, making it crucial to revisit some essential highway protocols for navigating intersections safely. With traffic signals down in several areas, drivers must remain alert and adhere to the following guidelines to ensure both their safety and the safety of others on the road.

Stay Focused Behind the Wheel

When traffic signals are out, driving requires even more attention than usual. Avoid distractions such as cell phones, loud music, or anything that takes your focus off the road. The unpredictability of intersections without working signals means every driver must be extra cautious and ready to react quickly.

What to Do When Signals Aren’t Working

1. Flashing Red Lights – Treat flashing red lights like a stop sign. Every vehicle must come to a complete stop before proceeding. After stopping, ensure it’s safe to move forward by checking all directions for approaching vehicles.
2. Flashing Yellow Lights – A flashing yellow light means proceed with caution. You are not required to stop, but you should slow down and make sure your path is clear before moving through the intersection.
3. No Signal Lights – If the traffic signals are completely out and not flashing, treat the intersection as a four-way stop. This means all vehicles should come to a stop, and drivers should yield the right of way based on who arrived first. If multiple vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right, or communicate with other drivers through gestures to ensure everyone knows when to proceed.

Why These Guidelines Matter

When traffic signals are down, confusion at intersections can easily lead to accidents. By following these simple rules, drivers can reduce the risk of collisions and keep traffic moving as safely as possible. It’s easy to underestimate the importance of road protocols, especially during chaotic situations like power outages, but these rules are in place for a reason—to protect everyone on the road.

As the work to restore power and recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene continues, let’s all do our part to stay vigilant and follow the proper procedures when approaching intersections with non-functioning traffic lights. Your attentiveness could make all the difference in preventing accidents during this time of crisis.

If you find yourself uncertain about navigating certain intersections, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. A few extra moments of patience could be the key to avoiding a dangerous situation.