Tennessee Highway Patrol sergeant urges drivers to treat malfunctioning signals as four-way stops in icy weather

Brandon Jackson, a sergeant with the Tennessee Highway Patrol in Putnam County(Cookeville District), told drivers to treat malfunctioning traffic signals as four-way stops during icy or snowy conditions and to leave extra space between vehicles to reduce crash risk.

Jackson said that when ice and temperatures well below freezing cause a signal to malfunction "you may see them turning red" and that drivers should "treat it as a four-way stop." He added that motorists should "come to a complete stop before you pass through the intersection."

The sergeant laid out basic right-of-way guidance for drivers facing a four-way stop: the vehicle that arrives first has the right of way, and if two vehicles arrive simultaneously "the vehicle to the left will yield to the vehicle to the right." He also warned that heavy snow can hide the painted stop bar at intersections and advised that drivers "bring the nose of your vehicle up" so the vehicle front is roughly parallel with the stop sign and treat that position as the stop bar before proceeding when it is safe.

On following distance, Jackson advised that drivers should keep enough gap behind the vehicle ahead so they can "see at least the license plate and where the tires of the vehicle in front of you touch the pavement on the ground." He said this distance reduces tailgating and the likelihood of "hitting any slick spots and having a rear end collision."

Jackson closed by asking motorists to "please adhere to the rules of the roadway" so roads remain safe for everyone. No formal actions or votes were taken; the remarks were a public safety announcement from a local Highway Patrol sergeant.

The Highway Patrol's guidance echoes standard winter-driving recommendations to slow down, increase following distance and treat malfunctioning signals as controlled intersections until normal signal operation resumes.