ARTICLE TOPIC: NY State Traffic Safety During Power Outages

Amidst a summer marked by severe storms, New York state authorities are emphasizing driver safety in light of a surge in tornado occurrences. With a record-breaking 26 tornadoes hitting the state, including one in Buffalo most recently, officials are underlining the importance of caution on the roads. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF0 tornado in Canandaigua and another in Pavilion, along with significant damage caused by tornados in Rome.

In response, the New York State Department of Transportation held a press briefing at Monroe County’s Regional Traffic Operations Center on Scottsville Road to address the proper protocol for drivers when traffic lights are not functioning due to power outages. The DOT stressed that drivers must treat dark or downed traffic lights as a four-way stop, as failure to do so constitutes a violation of traffic laws.

Chris Reeve, NYSDOT regional director, reiterated the importance of adhering to four-way stops at dark signals to prevent traffic congestion and accidents, ensuring the safety of DOT personnel working to restore traffic systems to normal. New York State Trooper Lynnea Crane emphasized the necessity for all drivers, including out-of-town travelers, to come to a complete stop at dark traffic signals to ensure safe passage through intersections.

According to the DOT, there have been approximately 250 incidents of property damage or injuries this year related to malfunctioning traffic signals, underscoring the vital need for drivers to exercise caution during such situations. The importance of slowing down in work zones was also highlighted by authorities in New York State.