New York DMV Written Practice Exam

When the traffic light is not functioning, the proper course of action is to treat the intersection as a four-way stop. This means all drivers must come to a complete stop and yield to other vehicles and pedestrians accordingly. The rationale behind this rule is to maintain safety and order at an intersection where normal traffic control signals are absent, preventing confusion and potential collisions. Treating the intersection as a four-way stop establishes clear communication between drivers, as everyone must obey the right-of-way rules. This approach is essential for navigating through the intersection safely, as it allows for a systematic and predictable flow of traffic, much like one would encounter at a properly functioning stop sign. The other options do not provide adequate safety measures. Proceeding with caution may still lead to misunderstanding and accidents if others do not comply with traffic norms. Ignoring the intersection can create dangerous situations for both the driver and others around them, while continuing without stopping introduces significant risk, as it disregards the necessary safety protocols established for such scenarios.