Level 1 Traffic Signal Repairs are conditions that create an imminent risk of severe crashes, damage, injury, or death and require immediate response (24/7, ASAP).
If a traffic signal at an intersection is malfunctioning or creating any of the hazardous conditions listed below, please immediately contact the ATL311 Customer Service Center at 404-546-0311:
Level 1 – Emergency Traffic Signal Issues
- Traffic signals at the intersection are completely dark (entire intersection or any approach) - The entire intersection is out, or one whole direction has no working lights.
- No green signal visible on an approach
- No red signal visible on an approach
- No yellow signal visible on an approach
- A specific color (red, yellow, or green) is completely out for drivers heading a certain way.
- Traffic signal is not changing - The light refuses to change from red to green, trapping traffic.
- Signal is stuck on green or red for any approach - The light refuses to change from red or green, trapping traffic. (similar to the statement above so could be removed due to redundancy)
- Signal is displaying conflicting movements (e.g., multiple directions receiving a green signal simultaneously, including pedestrian signals) - Cross-traffic has green lights at the same time, or pedestrians have a "Walk" sign while turning traffic has a green arrow.
- Flashing red, yellow, or green indications in all directions - The normal traffic light operations are bypassed, and the intersection is flashing in all directions.
- Signal head is twisted, rotated, or facing the wrong direction (excluding pedestrian signals) - The traffic light unit, or mast arm carrying multiple traffic light units, has spun around, making it impossible for drivers in the correct lane to see it. (excluding all other traffic control devices i.e; pedestrian signals, school flashing signals, any traffic control device that is not a traffic signal)
- Signal knocked down or on the ground (mast arm, pole, or signal head) - The pole, arm, or light fixture is on the ground.
- Note: Downed signals will be secured promptly; however, full restoration may take longer than 24 hours.
- Overhead sign is loose or hanging - A street or directional sign attached to the traffic pole or overhead wiring looks like it might fall on cars.
- Exposed or sparking electrical wiring
- Controller cabinet (metal box on the corner) is damaged, open, or has been struck. - The metal electrical box sitting on the street corner has been hit by a vehicle, pried open, or destroyed.
- The traffic signal fails to turn red when a train is approaching or does not return to normal operation after the train has cleared the tracks.
- Any signal condition actively contributing to crashes or near-miss incidents
- A traffic signal pole or mast arm is leaning heavily and appears to be in imminent danger of collapsing onto the roadway or sidewalk.
- A fallen tree, severe branch overgrowth, or large debris completely hides the primary traffic signal from drivers until they are already in the intersection.
- School zone speed limit flashers are completely dead or stuck turning on at the wrong time (e.g., flashing at 2:00 AM or dead at 3:00 PM), creating an active danger for crossing students.
- A pedestrian reports receiving an electrical shock when pressing the crosswalk button (often tied to grounding issues or the exposed wiring mentioned above, but callers will report the shock, not the wire).
If you are unsure whether the issue qualifies as an emergency, please err on the side of caution and report it.
To report an emergency after 6:30 PM Monday-Thursday and all day Friday-Sunday, call 404-290-7058 or 404-217-6835.
Please include the intersection and the direction the signal is facing.
