Broken Traffic Signals and Signs in San Diego

• Signal completely dark. California Vehicle Code section 21800(d)(1), as quoted by Caltrans: "The Driver of any vehicle approaching an intersection which has official traffic control signals that are inoperative shall stop at the intersection and may proceed with caution when it is safe to do so."
• Flashing red. The handbook says a flashing red signal light means STOP. After stopping, you may go when it is safe.
• Flashing yellow. A warning to proceed with caution. Slow down and be alert; you do not need to stop.
• At a stop sign. Make a full stop before the crosswalk or at the limit line. If there is neither, stop before entering the intersection, and check traffic in all directions before going.

During power outages, Caltrans says its signals on state routes in the San Diego region function normally for about three hours, then switch to red flash for another three to six hours, and after six hours go dark, which it calls blackout mode. Drivers must then treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

If a signal pole has been knocked into the road, wires are exposed, or someone is hurt, call 911. Both Get It Done forms say: for emergencies, call 911.

Inside the City of San Diego, traffic signals belong to the Street Division's Electrical Section. The City says there are over 1,600 signalized intersections, that signals are top priority, and that its technicians work around the clock. It also says the Electrical Section relies heavily on the public to report a signal that is out or malfunctioning. Two ways to report:

• Call 619-527-7500 as soon as possible. This is the number the City gives for a malfunctioning traffic signal.
• Get It Done: the Traffic Signal form or the Get It Done San Diego app. Put the pin on the intersection and say which corner or direction is affected.
• A photo that shows the surrounding area, which the form asks for so crews can find the problem.

The form asks you to pick one of these problem types:

Use Timing when the signal works but its timing seems wrong. The City says each signalized intersection is run by its own computer that observes traffic flow and can trigger the lights for cross traffic, and that signals on some major streets are coordinated. Walk Signal Push Button Upgrade is for reporting an old, small walk signal push button to request a modern, larger one.

A traffic signal is not the same as a street light. For a dark light on a pole along the street, see our street lights guide; they have their own Get It Done form and a much longer repair estimate.

The Street Division's Traffic Control section installs and maintains traffic signs and street name signs (which the City calls street name blades) throughout the City, along with curb painting, pavement legends and striping. The City says there are over 53,000 street name blades and traffic signs. Report a sign problem with the Traffic Sign form on Get It Done or the app. First choose the sign:

Then select the problem: Knocked Over, Missing Sign, Faded Sign, Pole Missing, Pole Knocked Over, Pole Tilted/Leaning, or Other. The Traffic Sign form requires a photo before you can submit.

Faded crosswalks and lane lines are a separate report type, Faded Striping. For other kinds of problems, see our guide to reporting a problem to the City of San Diego.

Estimated resolution times shown on the Get It Done forms, as of October 28, 2026. Faded striping is from the City's timeframe list, last updated May 7, 2026.

Signals are fast. The City's timeframe list says traffic signal reports are high priority and responded to within 24 hours. The Street Division's traffic signal page goes further and says that when there is a problem, it responds within two hours. A response is not always a finished repair, which is why the form also shows a 10-day estimate.

Signs are slow. The 290-day estimate for traffic signs is, according to the form, calculated from the last 90 days of data along with seasonal trends and staff knowledge. That is why a missing stop sign deserves a phone call as well as a report.

Reporting a broken signal or sign is different from asking for a new one. New traffic controls go through the Transportation Department's Traffic Service Request. As of October 28, 2026, that page says:

• Suspended: due to budget constraints, evaluations for new streetlights, sidewalks, traffic signals, bike facilities, guardrails and non-safety related signage. The department says it does not have the resources, staffing and equipment to perform these evaluations or install new traffic infrastructure.
• Still accepted: requests for new curb painting, new safety related signage, new safety related striping, and new traffic calming.

For help with the form, the City lists 619-533-3126 and trafficops@sandiego.gov.

How stop signs are decided. Under City Council Policy 200-08, stop signs are installed using engineering judgment and a point system. Of 30 possible points, up to 9 each come from crash history, visibility conditions, and traffic and pedestrian volumes, and 15 or more points justify a stop sign on a side street approach. The policy says the affected Councilmember and community planning group get at least 30 days' notice before a final decision, and that any person or community planning group may request a re-evaluation with additional information.

How signals are decided. The Street Division says a point system based on traffic flow and crash rate at the intersection is used to decide whether a signal is warranted.

The forms and phone numbers above are for the City of San Diego. Get It Done asks you to confirm that the address is within the City. Elsewhere:

Caltrans processes online requests Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and says to check with your local city or county if the problem is outside Caltrans property. The City's Get It Done FAQ lists the CHP non-emergency number as 858-637-3800. The County says its road hotline and service request form cover only the unincorporated parts of the county.