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What to Do at an Intersection with Flashing Lights

Intersections can be confusing enough when traffic signals are working normally. But when the lights start flashing red or yellow, many drivers are unsure about what to do. This confusion can lead to accidents, injuries, and traffic tickets. 

Knowing how to respond when you see flashing lights at an intersection is not only important for your safety but also for the safety of everyone else on the road. This guide explains what different flashing lights mean, what the Georgia rules of the road require, and what steps you can take to reduce your risk of a crash.

Why Intersections with Flashing Lights Can Be Dangerous

When a traffic signal malfunctions or switches to flashing mode, it interrupts the flow of predictable traffic patterns. Drivers may hesitate, speed up, or assume others will yield. This creates uncertainty that can quickly turn into collisions.

Pedestrians and cyclists are also at greater risk in these situations because drivers may be focused more on the lights than on people crossing the street. A split-second mistake at a flashing light intersection can lead to serious injuries. For this reason, it’s critical to understand what flashing lights mean and how Georgia law expects drivers to behave.

Flashing Red Light: Treat It Like a Stop Sign

In Georgia, a flashing red traffic signal means you must come to a complete stop. After stopping, you should yield to other drivers and pedestrians before entering the intersection. The rules are the same as if you approached a stop sign. 

If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right has the right of way. If you’re turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic. Only when the way is clear should you move forward. Failing to stop at a flashing red light can result in a traffic violation and greatly increases the risk of an accident. Taking the extra moment to stop can save lives. 

Flashing Yellow Light: Proceed with Caution

A flashing yellow light is less restrictive but still requires careful attention. In Georgia, flashing yellow means you can continue driving without stopping, but you must slow down and proceed carefully. This signal is often used in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic or where cross streets have flashing red lights. 

You should be prepared for vehicles entering the intersection from other directions and watch closely for pedestrians. Even though you are not required to stop, treating a flashing yellow with extra care reduces the risk of a collision.

When All Lights Are Out or Malfunctioning

Sometimes, power outages or technical issues can cause all lights at an intersection to go dark or flash in unexpected patterns. In Georgia, if traffic lights are not working at all, the law requires drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

That means every vehicle must stop completely before entering. Drivers then follow the same right-of-way rules as at a stop sign. Even if you believe the road is clear, take time to look in every direction to avoid hitting another vehicle or pedestrian. Approaching these intersections slowly and cautiously is the best way to prevent confusion and accidents.

Common Mistakes Drivers Make at Flashing Lights

Even experienced drivers sometimes make errors at flashing lights. 

The most common mistakes include:

• Failing to stop at a flashing red because they confuse it with yellow.
• Rolling through the intersection without coming to a full stop.
• Assuming other drivers will yield without checking.
• Speeding through a flashing yellow without slowing down.

These mistakes often cause T-bone collisions, rear-end crashes, or pedestrian accidents. Understanding the rules and practicing patience can help prevent them.

Contact Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation 

Flashing lights at intersections can create uncertainty, but knowing the rules helps keep everyone safe. By treating a flashing red like a stop sign, slowing down at a flashing yellow, and following four-way stop rules when lights are out, you can reduce your risk of a crash. 

Unfortunately, not every driver exercises the same level of caution, and accidents still happen. If you’ve been injured in a collision caused by a careless driver at a flashing light intersection, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. 

The team at Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys is here to protect your rights, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer. 

For more information, please contact our Augusta personal injury lawyers at Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.

We proudly serve Augusta, GA, and its surrounding areas:

Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys
4137 Columbia Rd, Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 722-8784