Power outage in Lindsay raises questions about the rules when traffic lights go out

KAWARTHA LAKES-A widespread power outage in Lindsay on Monday led to a few dangerous situations at traffic lights on the main street.

Employees at the TD Bank on Kent Street told Kawartha 411 they witnessed a number of close calls. “It’s been a little crazy, a lot of people are not educated on how to handle a power outage.” Esther said. “It’s supposed to be a four way stop but we have really seen a lot of people running right through it, thank god we haven’t seen any accidents.”

“I know this has been a frustrating week for motorists and pedestrians who are trying to navigate intersections in Lindsay that are without functioning traffic lights.” Sgt. Dave Murtha KLPS told Kawartha 411. ” We all have busy lives, with work, school, kids sports, errands and other commitments to get to.  The best advice I can give to a motorist or pedestrian who approaches an intersection with malfunctioning traffic light is to exercise patience and to play close attention to what others at the intersection are doing.”

Murtha says if traffic lights are not functioning at an intersection, the intersection should be treated like a four-way stop.

The following basics from when we all studied for our driver’s test should be adhered to according to Murtha:

1. All drivers should yield to pedestrians.
2. The vehicle that comes to a complete stop first should also proceed through the intersection first.
3. If two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the vehicle to the right should proceed first.
4. When two vehicles arrive simultaneously and are facing each other, the vehicle turning left should yield to a vehicle passing straight through.
5. If a police officer or other authorized City staff person is directing traffic, always follow their instructions.

“Despite the frustration felt by motorists and pedestrians when they approach an intersection without functioning lights, please be patient.” Murtha explains.  “The police service may have officers responding to other emergency calls for service and we may not be able to immediately send an officer to conduct traffic direction.  Especially in incidents such as the town wide power failure on Monday when every intersection was without power.”

And he’s reminding residents not to telephone “911” to report traffic congestion at an intersection.  Doing so could tie up 911 lines for others in the community who may be reporting life and death emergencies.