How Do You Handle a Malfunctioning Traffic Light in Ontario?

Ontario's Highway Traffic Act is clear: if a traffic light is not functioning, the intersection must be treated as a four-way stop. Every driver approaching from every direction must come to a complete stop before the intersection, yield appropriately, and proceed only when it is safe. This applies whether the light is completely dark (power outage) or malfunctioning in any way.

Once stopped, the order of proceeding follows standard four-way stop rules.

A malfunctioning light that shows a continuous flash has specific meanings. A flashing red light means stop, yield, and proceed when safe (like a stop sign). A flashing yellow light means slow down, check for cross traffic, and proceed with caution. If the light is alternating or unclear, default to treating it as a four-way stop.

Many drivers fail to come to a complete stop at a dark intersection, assuming they have the right of way based on where they normally would. This is incorrect and dangerous. A dark traffic light gives no one a default right of way. All four approaches are equal, just like a four-way stop. Police may be present to direct traffic at major intersections after power outages.

Malfunctioning traffic lights appear occasionally in the G1 knowledge test and sometimes in G2 road test briefings. Knowing to default to four-way stop behaviour is one of those rules that can trip up new drivers who have only experienced normally functioning signals. Practice the four-way stop process until it is automatic.