How should you treat an inoperable traffic light?

When encountering an inoperable traffic light, the appropriate response is to treat it as a stop sign, which involves yielding the right-of-way. This approach ensures safety for all drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists at the intersection. It is crucial to come to a complete stop when approaching the inoperable light, look for other vehicles and pedestrians, and proceed only when it is safe to do so. This practice aligns with established traffic laws that require drivers to treat non-functioning signals in a manner that prevents accidents and maintains order at intersections.

The other options fail to prioritize safety and proper traffic flow. Continuing to drive without stopping can lead to dangerous situations, as it does not account for the possibility of other vehicles or pedestrians being present. Following the last known signal does not apply in situations where the light is inoperable, as conditions may have changed since that signal was displayed. Calling traffic control can be a useful action if the situation is particularly complex or hazardous, but it does not directly address how a driver should navigate through the intersection safely at that moment. Hence, yielding the right-of-way, akin to the protocol for a stop sign, is the recognized and safest practice in this situation.