Dead Signals, a Taxi and an Ambulance at a Busy Junction
At 07:50 on a Monday the traffic lights at a four-way junction in Bundung have failed completely. No police officer is present. You are in a car travelling north and have stopped at the worn stop line. A yellow taxi approaches from your right on the east arm and stops. A woman pushing a handcart loaded with vegetables is already halfway across the road from your left. Behind you, an ambulance with blue lights and siren is closing fast. A southbound pickup opposite you has its right indicator on, signalling a turn across your path. Rain from overnight has left the junction surface patchy with sand and puddles. The taxi driver edges forward and lifts one hand off the wheel, as if inviting you to go. Your view of the east arm is partly blocked by a parked truck.
1. Who has priority at this failed-signal junction, and in what order should you deal with the taxi, the woman, the ambulance and the southbound pickup?
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With the signals dead and no officer present, treat the junction as uncontrolled. The usual rule is to give way to traffic approaching from your right, so the taxi has priority over you if you arrive together - but that rule does not override the safety of a vulnerable road user. The woman is already crossing, so she goes first; do not edge into her path. The ambulance with blue lights and siren should be allowed through as soon as you can do so without endangering the pedestrian or blocking the junction, which may mean waiting where you are rather than moving forward. The southbound pickup turning right across your lane must give way to oncoming traffic, so it should not cut across you. Sequence the decisions: pedestrian, emergency vehicle, taxi from the right, then your own movement when clear.
2. The taxi driver waves you through. Should you accept the invitation? Explain your reasoning.
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No - a wave is not a reliable right-of-way signal. The taxi driver may be waving you into the path of a vehicle you cannot see because the parked truck blocks your view of the east arm, or the wave may be meant for someone else. Accepting it would also mean relying on another driver's judgement instead of your own observation. Proceed only after you have checked right, left and ahead for yourself, confirmed the pedestrian is clear and the ambulance has passed or is not affected, and judged that you can clear the junction without forcing anyone to brake. If the situation remains ambiguous, wait. A few seconds lost is far cheaper than a collision caused by acting on a friendly but unsafe gesture.