What to Do at an Intersection with Flashing Lights in the State of New York

Intersections can already be confusing for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. When traffic lights begin flashing instead of operating normally, many motorists become unsure about who has the right of way and what they are legally required to do. 

In New York, misunderstanding flashing traffic signals can lead to serious accidents and injuries. Knowing how to safely approach and navigate these intersections can help prevent collisions and keep everyone on the road safer.

Understanding Flashing Traffic Signals in New York

Flashing traffic lights are often used during power outages, late-night traffic conditions, road construction, or when a traffic signal malfunctions. Under New York law, flashing lights carry specific meanings that drivers are required to obey.

The two most common flashing signals are:

• Flashing red lights
• Flashing yellow lights

Each requires a different response from motorists.

What to Do at a Flashing Red Light

A flashing red traffic signal should always be treated like a stop sign. 

Drivers approaching the intersection must:

1. Come to a complete stop.
2. Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
3. Yield to vehicles already in the intersection.
4. Proceed only when it is safe to do so.

Many accidents occur because drivers mistakenly treat flashing red lights as yield signs instead of full stops. Failing to stop completely can result in a rear-end crash, T-bone collision, pedestrian accident, or multi-vehicle crash.

What to Do at a Flashing Yellow Light

A flashing yellow light means drivers should proceed with caution. Unlike a flashing red signal, drivers are not required to stop. 

However, motorists must:

1. Slow down.
2. Remain alert for cross traffic or pedestrians.
3. Be prepared to stop if necessary.

Even though traffic may continue moving through the intersection, drivers still have a duty to exercise reasonable care. Speeding through a flashing yellow light without paying attention to surrounding traffic can lead to devastating crashes.

Common Causes of Flashing-Light Intersection Accidents

Accidents at flashing-light intersections often happen because one or more drivers fail to understand or follow the applicable traffic laws. 

Common causes include:

• Running a flashing red light
• Failing to yield at a four-way stop
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving – Hit & Run accidents
• Speeding through flashing yellow lights
• Driver confusion during power outages

These accidents can cause severe injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage.

Who Is Liable After an Intersection Accident?

Determining liability after a flashing-light intersection accident depends on the facts of the crash. 

In many cases, investigators will review:

• Traffic camera footage
• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Vehicle damage
• Skid marks and accident reconstruction evidence

A driver who ignored a flashing red signal or failed to yield may be held responsible for the collision. However, multiple parties can sometimes share fault under New York’s comparative negligence laws.

What You Should Do After an Intersection Accident

If you are involved in an accident at an intersection with flashing lights, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights.

You should:

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Seek medical attention.
3. Exchange information with other drivers.
4. Take photographs of the intersection and vehicles.
5. Speak with witnesses if possible.
6. Obtain a copy of the police report.
7. Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance companies.

Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts or shift blame after intersection accidents. An experienced attorney can investigate the crash, preserve evidence, and help pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Contact a Syracuse Car Accident Lawyer at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC for a Free Consultation 

Flashing traffic signals are designed to maintain safety when normal traffic operations are disrupted. Understanding how to respond to flashing red, flashing yellow, and dark traffic lights can significantly reduce the risk of serious accidents in New York.

If you were injured in an accident in Utica or Syracuse, and need legal help, contact our New York personal injury lawyers at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC to schedule a free case review today.

Passalacqua & Associates, LLC
7 Hopper St,
Utica, NY 13501
Open 24/7
(315) 500-6425

Passalacqua & Associates, LLC Syracuse
499 S Warren St #220,
Syracuse, NY 13202
Open 24/7
(315) 500-6425