By John Ostapkovich

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Power outages knock out traffic signals, and that’s not a good thing.

No, probably even the Monty Python guys don’t like them (“I like traffic lights!”), but intersections all around the area, when not controlled by signals, are significantly scarier.

AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Jenny Robinson says drivers have to treat an intersection with broken traffic lights like a four-way stop.

“Just because the traffic light isn’t working, that doesn’t mean you can plow right through.  You have to stop and yield to traffic,” she warns.  Even, she says, if you’re on a bigger road intersecting with a smaller one.

Courtesy and safety should rule.  Jack (no last name given), of Langhorne, Pa., says he saw that in his Tuesday outing.

But if there’s more traffic in the morning, Jack says, “There are going to be traffic jams.  Power is not going to be on tonight, I’m sure.”