What must you do if you approach a traffic light that is not functioning?

When you approach a traffic light that is not functioning, the safest and most appropriate action is to proceed with caution. This means reducing your speed, being aware of your surroundings, and being prepared to stop if necessary. It is important to treat the non-working traffic signal as a four-way stop intersection. This involves yielding to any vehicles or pedestrians that may have the right of way and ensuring that it is safe to proceed before moving through the intersection.

Waiting for the light to change isn't an option since the signal is not functioning, and assuming that it is green could lead to dangerous situations, like collisions. While calling the police might be appropriate in some circumstances, it’s generally not necessary for a malfunctioning traffic light unless it is creating a significant hazard. Therefore, the correct response is to proceed with caution, ensuring a safe passage through the intersection.