What should you do if the traffic lights are malfunctioning?

When traffic lights are malfunctioning, treating the intersection as a four-way stop is the appropriate action because it establishes a clear protocol for all drivers at the intersection. This method effectively promotes safety and reduces the risk of accidents, allowing all vehicles the opportunity to navigate the intersection in an orderly manner based on established right-of-way rules.

By coming to a complete stop and yielding to any vehicles or pedestrians that may already be in the intersection or approaching, drivers ensure that they are making cautious decisions rather than assuming the traffic lights are providing reliable guidance. This response helps maintain order at a potentially confusing and hazardous situation where traffic signals are not operational.

The other options may lead to confusion or unsafe interactions at the intersection: proceeding with caution without any stopping could result in misunderstandings about the right of way, ignoring the lights altogether could create potential hazards, and calling the authorities, while sometimes necessary, does not provide an immediate solution to safely navigating the intersection in the interim.