At a crossroads where the traffic lights are not working, who has the right of way?

When traffic lights are not functioning at a crossroads, the rules governing right of way dictate that no specific vehicle inherently has the right of way. In this situation, drivers must treat the intersection similarly to a four-way stop. This means each driver must yield to traffic before proceeding, ensuring that they check for other vehicles and pedestrians and proceed with caution.

The principle behind this rule is to prevent confusion and ensure safety in a potentially hazardous situation where the usual signals are unavailable. Drivers should assess the intersection carefully, yielding to any vehicles that have already entered the intersection or approaching from the right if they arrive simultaneously. This prioritization of caution is essential in maintaining road safety when conventional traffic controls are absent.