A motorist is driving on a two-lane highway posted with a white rectangular regulatory sign stating 'DO NOT PASS'. As the vehicle approaches a stalled truck blocking the lane, a uniformed law enforcement officer directing traffic at the scene signals for the driver to cross the solid yellow center line to go around the obstruction. Which action must the driver legally take?
- Follow the manual instructions of the law enforcement officer and safely pass the stalled truck, because live officer directions supersede static regulatory signs.Answer
- BRemain stopped behind the stalled truck until a tow vehicle clears the road, because posted regulatory signs strictly take precedence over manual hand signals.
- CDrive onto the unpaved right shoulder to bypass the stalled truck, because passing on the shoulder is mandatory whenever a regulatory 'DO NOT PASS' sign is posted.
- DStop and yield to all oncoming traffic regardless of the officer's signals, proceeding only when no other vehicles are visible on the highway.
Answer
Follow the manual instructions of the law enforcement officer and safely pass the stalled truck, because live officer directions supersede static regulatory signs.
Manual directions from a law enforcement officer or authorized traffic controller strictly supersede static posted regulatory signs, traffic lights, and pavement markings. When an officer directs a driver to perform a maneuver that would normally violate a regulatory sign, the driver must obey the officer.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Priority of Law Enforcement Signals Over Regulatory Signs