Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardTraffic Light Signals

You are driving on a multi-lane street and approach an intersection intending to turn left. The left-turn lane has a dedicated signal head displaying a flashing yellow arrow, while oncoming traffic has a solid green signal. As you enter the intersection buffer zone, a pedestrian enters the marked crosswalk across the street you intend to turn onto, and a police officer stationed in the intersection gestures for oncoming traffic to stop while signaling for you to hold your position. What is the legally required action for your vehicle under these conditions?

  1. A
    Yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic and the pedestrian, completing the turn only when a safe gap opens in traffic.
  2. Remain stopped as directed by the police officer, regardless of what the flashing yellow arrow signal indicates.Answer
  3. C
    Execute the left turn immediately because a flashing yellow arrow grants protected right-of-way over oncoming vehicles.
  4. D
    Proceed with the turn after coming to a complete stop, treating the flashing yellow arrow as equivalent to a flashing red light.

Answer

Remain stopped as directed by the police officer, regardless of what the flashing yellow arrow signal indicates.
Manual directions given by a police officer or authorized traffic controller always take precedence over electronic traffic signals, pavement markings, and signs. Although a flashing yellow arrow normally permits drivers to turn left after yielding to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, the officer's explicit instruction to hold position overrides the signal indicator.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the hierarchy of traffic control authority at the intersection.
Recognize that active manual directions from an authorized traffic or police officer supersede electronic traffic light signals.
Traffic laws explicitly mandate compliance with an officer's hand signals over automated traffic devices.
2
Evaluate the officer's specific instruction.
The officer gestured for your vehicle to hold its position.
Even though a flashing yellow arrow allows yielding drivers to proceed when clear, the officer's order to hold position takes precedence.
3
Determine the required driver behavior.
Stop and remain stationary until the officer directs you to proceed.
Disregarding officer hand directions constitutes a traffic violation regardless of signal status.

Key Concept

Traffic Officer Signal Priority and Flashing Light Rules
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Traffic Light Signals

More questions from this topic