On approaching an intersection where a traffic signal light is red and a policeman motions you to go through, you should…?
- Call the policeman's attention to the red light
- Obey the policeman's signal and proceed ✓
- Stop to make sure he wants you to go through
- Wait for the light to turn green
Answer: B. Obey the policeman's signal and proceed
Obey the police officer's signal and proceed.
Why this is the answer
The handbook's list of offences includes failing to obey the directions of a police officer, so a motion from an officer is something you must follow. The controlled-intersection section says that at a red light you normally stop and wait for green, but that passage does not deal with an officer directing traffic. In this situation, the officer's signal is the direction you obey, so you proceed as motioned.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Call the policeman's attention to the red light — Calling the officer's attention to the red light is wrong because the officer is already directing traffic and the handbook says you must obey a police officer's directions.
- C. Stop to make sure he wants you to go through — Stopping to check whether the officer really means it is wrong because the motion is the direction, and delaying to question it is not obeying the officer.
- D. Wait for the light to turn green — Waiting for the light to turn green ignores the officer's signal; the red-light instruction to wait does not cancel the separate requirement to obey a police officer's directions.
Remember it
Watch the officer's hand, not just the light.
Official handbook: Official MTO Driver's Handbook, Keeping Your Driver’s Licence – Three points