How to Proceed in Montana When a Traffic Light Stops Working

If someone were to shove a Montana driver's license test and a pencil in front of you, do you think you would be able to pass said test?

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My guess would be, just like myself, you probably would.  Or at least I am hoping that would be the case if you are on the roads or streets.  But after bearing witness to the debacle that was 10th Avenue South yesterday, now I'm not so sure.

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It Was Chaos, It Was Madness - Well, Not Really, But Pretty Confusing At Least

Making my way home from the westside of Great Falls yesterday, I decided to travel up 10th Avenue South to make my way home.  Getting near 13th Street, the traffic became completely garbled and backed up, which seemed odd at 2pm-ish in the afternoon on a Tuesday in the city.

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The reason?  As I approached closer to 15th Street, the traffic stop light was completely out.  And from that vantage point, waiting to turn on to that same street, is when I finally realized it.  Nobody, save for a select few, knew what to do and who should go when.

How to Proceed in Montana When a Traffic Light Stops Working

Now, hit the brakes; I'm not saying I am the best driver on the road or know all of the laws of being behind the wheel for that matter.  (Trust me when I say I know what it's like to lose your license!)  But maybe a refresher on some certain road rules will help if (when) this happens again.

via GIPHY

According to Montana code (61-8-212), if the "operator of a vehicle approaching an intersection in which an electronic traffic control device is inoperative shall stop in the manner prescribed in 61-8-344, except when directed to proceed by a police officer, highway patrol officer, or traffic control signal".

And code 61-8-344 states in part that "If there is not a clearly marked stop line, the operator shall stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection except when directed to proceed by a police officer, highway patrol officer, or traffic control signal".

Basically, if there isn't a traffic light in working order at an intersection that normally has one, it becomes a 4-way stop.  For everyone.  I was astonished that there wasn't a pileup of some sort.  Did you get caught in the backup?  Let us know in the comments or through our station app.