Which of the following must you obey over the other three?
- A steady red light
- A police officer ✓
- A stop sign
- A flashing red light
Answer: B. A police officer
You must obey a police officer over the other three choices when the officer is directing traffic.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says traffic signals must be obeyed except when a law enforcement officer is directing traffic. It adds that you must obey an officer at all times while the officer is directing traffic, even if the officer tells you to do something that would normally be against the law. That makes the officer's direction the higher authority when it conflicts with a light or sign. The other choices are traffic controls, so they give way to the officer's direction.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. A steady red light — A steady red light is a signal you normally must stop for, but the handbook says a law enforcement officer directing traffic takes precedence over signals.
- C. A stop sign — A stop sign is a fixed traffic control you normally obey, but it does not outrank an officer who is directing traffic.
- D. A flashing red light — A flashing red light is another traffic signal, and the handbook's exception for an officer directing traffic applies to signals.
Remember it
When an officer is directing traffic, watch the officer's signals first; the light or sign is not the boss at that moment.
Official handbook: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), Chapter 4: Right-of-Way , p. 25