Nova Scotia Driving Test Practice: Ace your driving test

What should you do if the traffic lights are not functioning?

1. Speed through the intersection

2. Follow the traffic signs only

3. Treat the intersection as a four-way stop

4. Wait for police direction

The correct answer is: Treat the intersection as a four-way stop

When traffic lights are not functioning, treating the intersection as a four-way stop is the appropriate action to take. This means all vehicles approaching the intersection must come to a complete stop. After stopping, drivers can proceed through the intersection in the order they arrived, yielding to any vehicles that arrive at the same time based on standard right-of-way rules. This helps to enhance safety and reduce confusion, as drivers will be expecting this behavior from others. It's important to note the significance of this approach: it creates a predictable traffic flow in a situation where signals are typically responsible for managing crossroads, thereby minimizing the risk of accidents. In contrast, speeding through the intersection disregards safety and can easily lead to collisions. Simply following traffic signs without acknowledging the stop requirement could create conflicts, as other vehicles may also be unsure of how to proceed. While waiting for police direction is an option, it is often impractical, especially in situations where immediate action is necessary to maintain traffic flow and ensure safety.