Who Should You Contact About a Traffic Signal That Keeps Malfunctioning?

Traffic lights guide the vehicles and the pedestrians by ensuring safety and reducing the collision risks. Broken, flickering, or stuck traffic signals are dangerous and could lead to accidents by creating a confusion for both the pedestrians and the motorists.

You can contact the local government agency, state office, or a city department if you encounter such an issue.

The malfunctioning can be due to the power outages, inadequate maintenance, outdated infrastructure, and technical glitches. If you see a flashing red traffic signal, you must stop or slow down if it is a flashing yellow traffic signal. Always ensure safety by checking all the directions before crossing.

This article explains in detail who you should contact about a traffic signal malfunctioning.

Traffic Light Malfunctions

Flashing red signal: You should stop at the red signal, even though it is flashing. Check the traffic in all the directions before crossing the signal.
Flashing yellow signal: Slow down when you see a yellow light, and you have to be cautious if you are at an intersection.
Dark signal: This is where you should be very alert; stop when you come across a dark signal and move only when there is no safety risk.

For example, in Washington, there is the law code RCW 46.61.183, where you must stop at once when you encounter a dark signal and obey the directions of the officers.

Who Should You Contact About a Malfunctioning Traffic Signal?

If you notice a traffic signal that is flickering, stuck, or not working, report the issue to the agency responsible for maintaining that intersection. In the United States, you can contact the following authorities:

Local city or municipal department: Contact the public works department or traffic engineering office for malfunctioning signals on city streets.
State Department of Transportation (DOT): Report problems at intersections on state highways or roads maintained by the state.
Local police department: Contact the police if the malfunction creates an immediate traffic hazard or requires officers to direct traffic.
Emergency services: Call 911 if the malfunction creates an immediate danger or has resulted in a serious accident.

When reporting the issue, provide the intersection's location, the type of malfunction, the time you noticed it, and any immediate safety concerns. Avoid entering a dangerous intersection to gather information.

Reporting the problem promptly helps the responsible authorities investigate the issue and arrange necessary repairs, reducing the risk of collisions and injuries.

Who Is Liable for the Accident?

The government can be held liable for the accidents occurring due to the malfunctioning of the traffic signals. If they were inspected and repaired on time, the problem could have been resolved and no accidents would occur. To prove this, the maintenance records, communication logs, and incident reports have to be investigated.

This will prove that the officials should have known about the malfunction, and it’s their irresponsibility that led to this situation.

All the drivers must follow the right-of-way, and they can be made liable for the accident if they did not follow the rules. Motorists driving carelessly in the intersection and ignoring the proper traffic rules can be considered liable.

Even the manufacturer of a company can be held responsible if the signal is malfunctioning. The contractors who are responsible for managing the traffic signals can be sued.

Key Summary

Traffic lights function to ensure the safety of the drivers and the pedestrians.
Flashing lights, stuck lights, and the dark signals are considered malfunctions.
You can contact the state office, government agency, or a city department if the failure of traffic lights happens.
The malfunctioning of the traffic lights can create confusion between the drivers, leading to accidents.
One must always follow the right-of-way; otherwise, they can be held responsible for the accident.