What action must a driver take if traffic signals are dark?

When traffic signals are dark, indicating that they are not functioning due to a power outage or other issue, the correct action for a driver to take is to stop and yield to any vehicle already in the intersection. This is similar to treating the dark signal as a four-way stop. Drivers need to exercise caution and ensure that they do not enter the intersection until it is safe to do so, which typically means yielding to any vehicles that are already in the intersection or that have the right of way.

It's important to recognize that even when signals are not working, traffic laws still apply, and drivers must remain vigilant. Ensuring safety is paramount, and yielding to vehicles already in the intersection helps prevent accidents that could occur due to misunderstandings about who has the right of way. On the other hand, proceeding with caution, waiting for the signal to resume, or turning on hazard lights and continuing to drive could lead to hazardous situations, as they might either confuse other drivers or fail to adhere to the necessary stop-and-yield rules that apply in such circumstances.