How to Deal with Downed Traffic Signals

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Oct. 10, 2024) – As part of the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton, Manatee County is urging residents to be vigilant and report any issues with traffic signals in their area. However, when reporting a malfunctioning or damaged traffic signal, providing detailed and specific information will help speed up repairs and ensure road safety.

Key Information to Provide When Reporting Signal Issues:

• Is the Signal Flashing? If the signal is flashing, specify whether it is flashing all red, or yellow and red. This will help determine the nature of the malfunction.

• Are Any Lights Active? Clarify if the signal has any working lights or if the entire signal appears to be out of service.

• Is the Signal on the Ground? If the signal is mounted on a span wire, check whether the entire signal has fallen to the ground or is hanging precariously.

• Are Signals Pointing in the Wrong Direction? If the signals are still attached but misaligned, note if they are pointing in the wrong direction, potentially causing confusion for drivers.

Providing these details can greatly enhance the efficiency of repair crews and reduce follow-up questions, allowing the city to restore traffic signals more quickly.

Reporting Traffic Signal Issues:

• Report via Phone or Online: Call 3-1-1 or visit the 3-1-1 website to report traffic signal issues with as much detail as possible.

Safety Reminder: Treat Non-Functioning Signals as a Four-Way Stop: If a traffic signal is completely out, remember to treat the intersection as a four-way stop, yielding to other drivers as necessary.

Manatee County wants to thank all residents for their cooperation and patience as we continue to recover from Milton’s impacts. Timely and accurate reporting will help restore normal traffic flow and ensure road safety for everyone.

Please continue to monitor local news and weather broadcasts as well as the County's social media accounts for updates. Official storm information from Manatee County at is always updated at mymanatee.org/storm.