While driving through a congested urban corridor, a driver encounters a solid red traffic light at an intersection posted with a white rectangular regulatory sign reading "NO TURN ON RED". A uniformed law enforcement officer directing traffic manually signals the driver to turn right immediately to clear the lane for an advancing emergency vehicle. Which action is the driver legally obligated to take?
- Follow the officer's manual instructions and proceed with the right turn immediately, overriding both the red light and the regulatory sign.Answer
- BRemain stopped at the intersection until the light turns green, because posted regulatory signs and red traffic signals take precedence over manual officer hand gestures.
- CTreat the regulatory sign as a yield command, slowing down without coming to a complete stop before completing the turn.
- DComplete the right turn but accelerate beyond the posted speed limit to navigate past the emergency vehicle as rapidly as possible.
Answer
Follow the officer's manual instructions and proceed with the right turn immediately, overriding both the red light and the regulatory sign.
Under standard traffic laws, directions given by a uniformed law enforcement officer taking command of an intersection supersede all posted regulatory signs, traffic signals, and road markings. The driver is required to obey the officer's hand signal and execute the right turn.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Traffic Officer Signal Priority over Regulatory Controls
Estimated Time:1m 30s