LSP: Treat intersections without power as four-way stops

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - With many traffic lights down due to power outages from Hurricane Laura, Louisiana State Police are asking people to drive safely and lawfully. This means treating intersections where traffic lights are without power as four-way stops.

Trooper Michael Reichardt said it’s the law.

“Even if there’s no cars coming, you’ve got to stop at that intersection,” said Reichardt.

Reichardt said not following the law could be dangerous.

“You could have a crash, a very serious crash depending on how fast you’re going. It’s safer for everybody to stop,” he said.

This doesn’t just apply to four-ways. Reichardt said, if there isn’t a stop sign and the lights are out, you must stop, regardless of the number of lanes.

He also says don’t drive around barricades.

”Remember that there could be a tree down around the curve or over that next hill that you go over. I would suggest everyone slow down and pay extra attention to whatever you’re doing, especially for the next few days until we get all this debris cleaned up,” he said.

No power also means that things are going to get dark at night. Reichardt said it’s best to stay at home. However, if you do go out, he said to be careful.

“Especially at night, you can’t see very far in front of you, just as far as your headlights shine. So just make sure that you’re safe and you slow down, and you have to be extremely careful, especially driving at night,” he said.

If you need to get in contact with state police for any reason, you can dial *577.