Final answer:
The statement that drivers on the road with less traffic should yield at a non-working traffic signal is false. Traffic laws typically dictate that drivers must treat the intersection as a four-way stop, with rules such as 'first come, first served' or 'the right-hand rule' for vehicles arriving simultaneously.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'At an intersection where a traffic light is not working, drivers on the road with the lesser amount of traffic should yield to the cross traffic' is false. When a traffic light is not functioning, drivers are typically required to treat the intersection as a four-way stop, regardless of the amount of traffic on either road. This means that the first vehicle to arrive at the intersection has the right of way, and subsequently, vehicles take turns proceeding through the intersection. In a situation where two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle to the right generally has the right of way. Yielding based on the amount of traffic would be impractical and could lead to confusion and potential accidents.
Pedestrian safety and vehicle speed control are critical reasons for the presence of working traffic signals, such as making vehicles slow down to the posted speed limit and allowing safe crossing for pedestrians. Moreover, according to reports, intersections with properly working traffic signals have fewer accidents, highlighting the significance of having operational signals for safety.