A 2-minute lesson from the New York course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Some highways hang special lights above the lanes to show which ones you may use at certain times. And whenever a traffic officer is directing traffic, the officer outranks every sign, signal and marking.
Lane-use light: steady red XLane-use light: yellow XLane-use light: green arrow
Directions from traffic officers take precedence over signs, signals and pavement markings. If an officer signals you to stop at a green light, you stop; if an officer waves you through a red light or STOP sign, you go.
The light ahead is green, but a police officer in the intersection holds up a hand for you to stop. Stop and wait for the officer's signal. The officer's direction overrides the green light.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
If a traffic officer directs you through a red light, what should you do?
Stop and wait for the light to change anyway
Ignore the officer since signals take priority
Treat the red light as a stop sign first
Follow the officer's directions, not the light
Answer: Follow the officer's directions, not the light
Directions given by traffic officers take precedence over signs, signals, or pavement markings.
