What to Do When the Power Is Out at a Traffic Light in Utah
A dark traffic signal at a busy intersection is one of the most confusing moments a driver faces. A storm, a downed line, or a grid failure can knock out the lights, and in the seconds that follow, knowing the rule can prevent a serious crash.
When a traffic signal is completely dark because of a power outage, Utah drivers must treat the intersection as an all-way stop. Every driver stops, then proceeds in turn based on who arrived first, yielding to the right when two arrive together. A flashing red light means stop. A flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with caution. When drivers ignore these rules, the resulting crash is often their fault.
The rule: a dead signal is an all-way stop
Utah’s traffic code treats an intersection with an inoperative or dark signal the same as one controlled by stop signs on every approach. That means you come to a complete stop, judge who arrived first, and take turns. If two vehicles reach the intersection at roughly the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Pedestrians in or entering a crosswalk always get the right of way.
The reason for the rule is simple: without a shared, predictable system, a powerless intersection becomes a guessing game, and guessing at speed causes collisions. Treating it as an all-way stop slows everyone down and creates an order everyone can follow.
- Come to a full stop. Roll-throughs at a dark signal are both dangerous and a traffic violation.
- Yield to who arrived first. If it’s a tie, the driver on the right goes first.
- Watch for pedestrians and cyclists. They have the right of way in and near the crosswalk.
- Make eye contact and go slowly. Confirm other drivers see you before you move.
Dark, flashing red, or flashing yellow?
Not every malfunctioning signal is completely dark. Knowing the difference tells you exactly what the law expects.
| Signal state | What it means | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Completely dark | No power to the signal | Treat as an all-way stop |
| Flashing red | Same as a stop sign | Stop fully, then proceed when clear |
| Flashing yellow | Caution | Slow down, proceed carefully |
| Officer directing traffic | Manual control | Follow the officer’s signals over the lights |
Key point. When a driver blows through a dark or flashing-red intersection without stopping and causes a crash, that failure to yield is strong evidence of negligence. If you were injured by a driver who didn’t follow the all-way-stop rule, you may have a claim for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
Who is at fault in a powerless-intersection crash?
Fault comes down to who failed to follow the rules of the road. A driver who did not stop, who ran the intersection out of turn, or who failed to yield to someone already crossing is usually the one who caused the collision. Utah follows a modified comparative fault system, so more than one driver can share blame, and your recovery is reduced by your own percentage of fault, but you can still recover as long as you are not found mostly at fault. Because these cases often come down to who arrived first and who yielded, witness statements, dashcam video, and the police report are critical.
What to do after a crash at a dark signal
Check for injuries and call 911
Report the crash and the outage. A police report documents what happened and often notes which driver failed to stop.
Photograph the scene
Capture the dark signal, vehicle positions, damage, and any skid marks. Note the time and weather while it’s fresh.
Gather witnesses
At a confusing intersection, independent witnesses who saw who stopped and who didn’t can decide the case.
See a doctor, then call a lawyer
Get checked out even if you feel fine, and speak with an injury attorney before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement.