Final answer:
A dark traffic signal or one that isn't working should be treated as a four-way stop where all drivers must come to a complete stop and proceed based on the order of arrival or yield to the vehicle on the right. This ensures safety and prevents accidents. Option c is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When encountering a dark traffic signal or one that isn't working, it is imperative to know the correct action to take for the sake of safety. A non-operational traffic signal could lead many vehicles to mistakenly speed through an intersection, undermining the safety of both drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrian safety becomes particularly crucial near campus areas where high volumes of students cross roads, as they rely on traffic signals for safe passage. Moreover, statistics and police reports suggest that intersections without proper signaling can see a dramatic increase in traffic accidents, sometimes with fatal outcomes.
With safety as a paramount concern, the appropriate action to take at a malfunctioning traffic signal aligns with maintaining order and preventing accidents. One of the paramount rules when approaching such an intersection is to treat it as a four-way stop. This means that each driver must come to a complete stop and proceed in the order of arrival, or if arriving at the same time, yield to the vehicle on the right. This method functions to create clarity and predictability among drivers, thereby reducing the chance of collisions and promoting the safety of all road users.
Hence, if a student is asked about what a dark or non-operational signal signifies, they should know that the correct answer is: C) A signal to treat the intersection as a four-way stop. This is the recommended action by traffic laws in most jurisdictions and ensures that all drivers and pedestrians are given fair and safe passage through the intersection.