Spotsylvania County, VA – Drivers across Spotsylvania County are being urged to use extreme caution today after power-related outages caused multiple traffic signals to stop working, turning busy intersections into four-way stops.
According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, several traffic lights throughout the county are currently dark or flashing due to recent outages. When a traffic signal is not operating, state traffic law requires all drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Officials remind motorists to come to a complete stop, proceed in the order vehicles arrive, and yield to traffic already in the intersection. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right has the right-of-way. Drivers should also be especially alert for pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles moving through intersections.
The sheriff’s office stressed that failing to treat a dark signal as a four-way stop can be dangerous and may lead to serious crashes. Flashing red lights should be treated like stop signs, while flashing yellow lights mean drivers may proceed cautiously if the roadway is clear.
Crews are actively working to restore traffic signals, but no timeline has been released for when all intersections will be fully operational. In the meantime, deputies are asking drivers to slow down, stay patient, and allow extra travel time.
Residents traveling through high-traffic corridors, neighborhood intersections, and routes near schools or shopping areas are encouraged to remain vigilant, especially during peak commute hours.
Drivers who notice particularly hazardous intersections are encouraged to report them to local authorities.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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