Same setup in the Netherlands, there are right of way signs everywhere that apply when the lights don't work.

One interesting effect is that there are also often pedestrian crossings that have priority over everyone. Normally those are limited by lights, but without lights a steady stream of pedestrians stops all traffic. Seen that happen in Utrecht near the train station recently, unlimited pedestrians and bikes, so traffic got completely stuck until the police showed up.

san francisco really really needs this.. the traffic lights were incredibly hard to see with the fog and rain..