When the power goes out, that means the traffic lights go with it, making it harder to tell if there is even a traffic light there to begin with (especially if you're unfamiliar the neighborhood). Despite that, signals that are out must be treated like a stop sign. The LAPD never seems to send these educational warnings out, but this friendly reminder comes from the Los Angeles Fire Department. "With power out to many traffic signals in the North Hollywood area, Los Angeles Firefighters remind you to always treat darkened traffic signals as a 4-way stop." Thank you Web 2.0 Department of the Century. Thank you.