When you see a red traffic light, what action must you take?

When you see a red traffic light, what action must you take?

• A. Stop briefly and then proceed without checking traffic.
• B. Yield to traffic and proceed when there is a safe gap.
• C. Stop completely and proceed only when the light is green and it is safe.
• D. Drive through if the intersection is empty.

Answer: (C)

Red means you must come to a complete stop. Stop fully before the intersection, at the stop line or as required by road markings, and wait until the light turns green. You may proceed only after the signal is green and you have ensured it is safe, yielding to pedestrians and any vehicles with the right of way. (In Washington, you may turn on red where allowed after stopping and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, but the essential rule is to stop completely and go only on a safe, green signal.)

Red means you must come to a complete stop. Stop fully before the intersection, at the stop line or as required by road markings, and wait until the light turns green. You may proceed only after the signal is green and you have ensured it is safe, yielding to pedestrians and any vehicles with the right of way. (In Washington, you may turn on red where allowed after stopping and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, but the essential rule is to stop completely and go only on a safe, green signal.)