You are approaching a green traffic light and traffic is blocking the intersection. What is the best thing to do?
- Partially enter the intersection to establish your right-of-way.
- Don't enter the intersection until you can get completely across. ✓
- Continue into the intersection and wait for traffic to clear.
Answer: B. Don't enter the intersection until you can get completely across.
Don't enter the intersection until you can get completely across.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says a green light means go, but it does not mean you may block the box. You should still stop for anyone already in the intersection and proceed only when there is enough space without creating danger. It also says not to start across the intersection when vehicles or pedestrians are blocking your pathway. California law adds that you must not stop or block an intersection when there is not enough room to completely cross before the light turns red. So waiting before the intersection is the safe and legal choice.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Partially enter the intersection to establish your right-of-way. — Partially entering to claim right-of-way goes against the handbook's rule to stay out when you cannot completely cross; the passages do not give you right-of-way by nosing into a blocked intersection.
- C. Continue into the intersection and wait for traffic to clear. — Continuing in and waiting would leave you stopped in the intersection, which the handbook says is against the law when you cannot completely cross before the light turns red.
Remember it
A green light is go only when there is room to go all the way through.