Traffic light not working

[danh600]

Encountered a situation today. As I left the house I encountered a single traffic light that was not cycling through the colors. It was flashing yellow.

Now my assumption(that could have got me killed) is that if you encounter a single nonworking traffic light you do what the light says. For example if it is flashing yellow you procede slowly with caution. If it is flashing red you stop and proceed when the coast is clear. If the traffic light is completely dead you treat it as a four way stop. Not sure really if I am technically correct.

Now I live in an area that was hit by many hurricanes so people tend to treat every nonworking traffic light as a four way stop.

So the situation today was I started out on a ride. A few miles from the house I see a traffic light flashing yellow. We didn't have a storm or a major power outage. So I assume this is a isolated incident. I see the flashing yellow and very slowly proceed. I am heading north. The few cars going east or west come to a full stop. I assume they have a flashing red. There is a county bus in the left turn lane that is heading south but making a left turn.

His assumption is it's a four way stop. He feels he has waited his turn. So as I slowly enter the intersection he decides that I am in the wrong and he needs to show me. He punches it and takes a quick left turn. I have to punch it and move over to miss him

[danh600]

So my lessions today.

1. Even if you are right you might end up dead.
2. Never assume.
3. Avoid county buses (my third close call with them).
4. Hopefully the semi  behind you bellowing black smoke can stop fast enough if you come to a full stop at a flashing yellow.

[dt]

Your understanding of how that works is my understanding also. The bus, wanting to turn left, was supposed to yield to the oncoming traffic...no question.

Given that the bus driver acted so flagrantly, I suspect he was taking the Florida Yield-to-Bus law a little too far. Here’s what that statute says (Florida 316.0815):

(1) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a publicly owned transit bus traveling in the same direction which has signaled and is reentering the traffic flow from a specifically designated pullout bay.
(2) This section does not relieve the driver of a public transit bus from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the roadway.

There’s nothing in that statute that says the bus would have right of way in a flashing yellow/red or failed light intersection. It seems to be more about letting them merge back into a lane of traffic.

I can't quote a source, but I understand (bus or not) this particular situation is the number 1 cause of motorcycle accidents...i.e. vehicles turning in intersections.

[mrbones]

Sounds like you did nothing wrong. Maybe that person was having a bad day and wasn't thinking clearly. Who knows?

I treat every intersection, even ones with green lights with some degree of caution.

[dongalb]

Wonder if the bus driver thought you had a flashing red as well?  Thereby making it a 4 way stop.

When a light is not working correct, best to assume the worst.

[dcameras]

Your understanding of how that works is my understanding also. The bus, wanting to turn left, was supposed to yield to the oncoming traffic...no question.

This would be my understanding also. Too bad you didn't get the bus number and talk to his/her supervisor about the situation. Of course you could still call in and make a complaint and they could probably figure out which driver it was by the intersection you were at and the time you were there. They might have had problems with that driver before and this might be what they need to take the action against them to dismiss them. You might just save someones life by calling in.

[v65infla]

Your understanding of how that works is my understanding also. The bus, wanting to turn left, was supposed to yield to the oncoming traffic...no question.

This would be my understanding also. Too bad you didn't get the bus number and talk to his/her supervisor about the situation. Of course you could still call in and make a complaint and they could probably figure out which driver it was by the intersection you were at and the time you were there. They might have had problems with that driver before and this might be what they need to take the action against them to dismiss them. You might just save someones life by calling in.

Absolutely 100% correct.  I used to be one "Just to let things go" but the older I get the more I realize if you don't speak up, no one will.

[danh600]

I know you guys are right, but I am certain from past experience it would just be an exercise in futility.

[v65infla]

I know you guys are right, but I am certain from past experience it would just be an exercise in futility.

I can understand that having had the run around on an incident that involved my son and a school bus driver.  However, as a retired police officer, I can tell you that liability is a big word.  And, if nothing else if they can identify the driver they will at least question him or her about the incident.  As already alluded too, there might be problems in the past.  It is real easy for a bad employee to deny one, two or even three incidents but when the complaints come in over and over a supervisor can't ignore it, so you just never know.  As also said, your complaint might be the one that saves someone else's life. 

[dt]

It's just as bad when traffic lights are working...

Red Light Runners Compilation

[maureen]

I can't tell you how many times I've seen that video now but it still amazes me EVERY time! Also makes me feel a little better about my gas guzzling Expedition.

[dt]

We seem to live in a world where everyone’s in a hurry and perhaps a little on the foolish/selfish side by thinking they can talk on phones and text while driving, among other things…even in heavy traffic. I was doing some research on those red light cameras that cities have been putting up in troubled intersections over the last couple years (had a little issue…no ticket, though) and came across that video. Thinking back to when they started installing them, I think I recall being a little pissed off about them. A couple years later, I now think...no, firmly believe..they’re working based on what I’ve seen in intersections where they’re located. It’s too bad that we need those cameras and all that goes with them, like the $158 fine, but I guess that’s where we’re at…