Final answer:
When traffic lights are out of order, the appropriate action is to yield to vehicles from both right and left, treating the intersection as an all-way stop to ensure safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you approach an intersection and the traffic lights are out of order, the correct course of action is to yield to vehicles from both right and left. This is because the intersection effectively becomes an all-way stop when the traffic lights are non-functional, and the rules of right-of-way as they apply to a stop sign situation must then be followed. This includes yielding to vehicles that have already arrived at the intersection, as well as to those coming from directions that would pose an immediate hazard should you proceed. It is not safe to assume it is your right-of-way. In cases where pedestrian safety is a concern, and especially if a traffic signal would normally coordinate their crossing, utmost caution should be exercised. The provided scenarios emphasize how a functioning traffic signal provides order and safety to an intersection for both vehicles and pedestrians.