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Difficulty: MediumRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

You are approaching an intersection where the overhead traffic light is solid green, but a police officer standing in the center of the intersection is holding up their hand and signaling for your lane to stop. Which action must you legally take?

  1. Stop completely as directed by the police officer, because manual officer instructions take precedence over electronic traffic signals.Answer
  2. B
    Proceed through the intersection cautiously because an active green traffic signal overrides manual hand gestures.
  3. C
    Yield only if vehicles on the cross street enter the intersection, then proceed through on the green light.
  4. D
    Treat the green light as a flashing yellow signal and proceed without stopping after sounding your horn.

Answer

Stop completely as directed by the police officer, because manual officer instructions take precedence over electronic traffic signals.
Directions given by a police officer or authorized traffic control personnel always supersede traffic light signals, posted signs, and general right-of-way rules. When an officer signals to stop, drivers must obey the officer regardless of what color the traffic light is displaying.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the controlling traffic directives present at the intersection.
Observe both an electronic green signal and a manual police officer stop directive.
Drivers must evaluate all legal authority signals present when approaching an intersection.
2
Apply the right-of-way hierarchy of authority.
Recognize that manual commands from a uniformed police officer override traffic lights, stop signs, and yield signs.
Traffic law establishes that human officer instructions take precedence over automated control devices.
3
Determine the mandatory driver action.
Bring the vehicle to a complete stop as directed by the officer.
Failing to obey a law enforcement officer's signal is a serious traffic violation and creates immediate collision hazards.

Key Concept

Traffic Officer Signal Priority over Traffic Signals
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Right-of-Way Rules at Intersections

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