Question

Difficulty: MediumTraffic Light Signals

While approaching an urban intersection in a dedicated right-turn lane, a driver observes a traffic light displaying a solid circular red light alongside a steady green arrow pointing right. As the vehicle enters the turn, a pedestrian begins crossing the street in the marked crosswalk directly in the turn path. What action must the driver take?

  1. Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian and proceed through the turn only after the crosswalk is clear.Answer
  2. B
    Proceed immediately through the turn, because a steady green arrow grants absolute right-of-way over all crosswalk traffic.
  3. C
    Ignore manual stop directives from a traffic officer at the scene, because illuminated signal lights supersede officer hand signals.
  4. D
    Treat the combination as a flashing yellow signal, permitting the vehicle to maintain normal speed without slowing or yielding.

Answer

Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian and proceed through the turn only after the crosswalk is clear.
A steady green arrow permits drivers to make a turn in the specified direction, but turning vehicles are legally required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are crossing the street within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of the traffic signal lights
The solid red circular light prohibits straight-through travel, while the steady green arrow permits turning right.
Traffic signal combinations regulate specific lane movements independently.
2
Evaluate right-of-way rules regarding pedestrians in crosswalks
Vehicles turning on a green arrow must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk.
Pedestrian safety regulations require drivers to stop or slow to allow pedestrians to safely cross before completing the turn.

Key Concept

Green Arrow Signal Rules and Crosswalk Right-of-Way
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