What should a driver do if they approach an intersection with a non-functioning traffic light?

When a driver approaches an intersection with a non-functioning traffic light, the appropriate action is to come to a complete stop and treat it as a four-way stop. This approach prioritizes safety and ensures that all vehicles at the intersection have the same rights and responsibilities, allowing for a clear and orderly flow of traffic.

In this situation, all drivers must stop and yield to other vehicles that arrive at the intersection, then proceed based on their order of arrival. Treating the intersection as a four-way stop helps prevent confusion and reduces the risk of accidents, as it clarifies who has the right of way. This protocol is particularly important at non-functioning traffic signals because traffic patterns that might typically be dictated by light signals are no longer in play, requiring all drivers to be prudent and cautious.

The other options do not align with safe driving practices in this scenario. For instance, proceeding through the intersection without stopping could lead to collisions, and simply slowing down is not enough to ensure safety. Yielding to the vehicle on the left disregards the structured rules of right-of-way that are crucial at intersections, especially when facing a signal malfunction.