When the traffic signal light facing you is red and you intend to go straight through the intersection, what must you do first?
- Stop, wait until the light changes to green and the intersection is clear before moving through it ✓
- Slow down, proceed when the way is clear
- Stop, give pedestrians the right-of-way, and then proceed with caution
- Stop, proceed when the way is clear
Answer: A. Stop, wait until the light changes to green and the intersection is clear before moving through it
You must come to a complete stop, wait until the light changes to green, and make sure the intersection is clear before driving straight through.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says a red light means you must stop, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersection as applicable. For going straight through, it then says to wait until the light changes to green and the intersection is clear before moving through it. So stopping alone is not enough; the green light is part of the required wait.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Slow down, proceed when the way is clear — A red light requires a complete stop, not just slowing down and proceeding when the way looks clear.
- C. Stop, give pedestrians the right-of-way, and then proceed with caution — Giving pedestrians the right-of-way does not replace the need to wait for the light to turn green before going straight through.
- D. Stop, proceed when the way is clear — Stopping and then proceeding when clear is incomplete because a red light facing you still requires waiting until it changes to green.
Remember it
Treat a red facing straight ahead as a hold: stop first, green second, clear third.
Official handbook: Official MTO Driver's Handbook, Traffic lights – Red light