HOUSTON -- The Houston Police Department reminded motorists on Thursday the rules of the road when lights are out at intersections.

Due to Hurricane Ike, Houston experienced unprecedented power outages and damaged traffic signals, resulting in many intersections with flashing red lights or no lights at all.

Police department officials said the outages have caused a great deal of discussion and some confusion about how motorists should navigate intersections.

Below is a quick checklist to help motorists navigate through a four-way stop:

First in time, first in right: The vehicle arriving at the intersection first should be allowed to proceed through first.
If both vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes in the event of a tie (two-way or multiple way ties are handled the same way). This should continue all the way around the intersection.
Turning vehicles should yield to vehicles going straight, so use your vehicle's turn signals to communicate with other motorists as required by law.
Side and small streets or less-traveled service roads should yield to wider more traveled streets.
Drive slowly and never assume because you are first and have the right of way that the intersection is clear. It is a four-way stop. Be sure other motorists know you are going through before you proceed.

Police said that drivers may have to inch their vehicles into the intersection and rely on each other to be patient. Plan for extra time getting to destinations.

Check Traffic Now:

• Houston TranStar Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Pulse Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Section


• Houston Transtar


• Texas Dept. of Transportation Web site or call 800-452-9292


• Harris County Office of Emergency Management Web site

Check Construction Information:

Map: Freeway Construction Projects
TxDOT Freeway Construction Schedule