Flashing Yellow, Rain, and an Officer's Hand Signal
It is 8:40 p.m. in Monrovia and rain is falling hard. You approach a four-leg intersection where the traffic signal is dark except for a yellow light flashing toward you. A marked crosswalk and a solid white stop line are visible, but standing water hides the lane divider. A police officer in a rain cape stands in the middle of the intersection. She holds her right arm straight up, palm toward you, then points sharply to your right. At the same time, a pedestrian with a child waits at the curb on your left, and a taxi behind you is close to your bumper; its headlights fill your mirror. A sign on the far corner shows a left-turn arrow crossed out. You want to turn left.
1. Whose direction controls first, and what should you do with the officer, the flashing yellow, and the crossed-out left arrow?
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The officer controls first. A police officer directing traffic overrides the signal and posted signs, so the flashing yellow and the crossed-out left arrow do not authorize a left turn while she is signaling. Her raised palm means stop; her point to your right means move in that direction only after she releases you and the path is clear. Reason it through in layers: officer, then signal, then sign, then markings. Because the signal is flashing yellow, you would normally slow and proceed with caution, yielding to traffic and pedestrians, not treat it as a protected green. Because the sign bans left turns, you should not turn left even if the officer steps aside later unless a new signal or direction allows it. Your first action is to stop before the crosswalk and stop line, keep your wheels straight, and watch her hands rather than the taxi's lights.
2. How should you enter and cross the intersection while the pedestrian with the child waits on your left?
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Enter only at a walking pace after the officer permits movement. The pedestrian is at the curb, not yet in the crosswalk, so you are not required to stop for her body in the roadway, but you must be ready for her to step off, especially because a child may move suddenly. Keep the stop line clear until you can clear the crosswalk completely; do not stop on the crosswalk. Standing water hides the lane divider, so steer by the curb line, the crosswalk edges, and the officer's position rather than by a painted line you cannot see. Use low beam, not high beam, so rain glare does not blind her or the officer. If she steps into the crosswalk, stop and wait, even if the officer is waving you on; no direction requires you to drive into a pedestrian.
3. What should you do about the taxi close behind as you slow for the officer and pedestrian?
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Brake early and gently, not late and hard, so the taxi has time to see your intention. Tap the brake once or twice before you actually need to slow, and keep your foot on the pedal so your brake lights stay on. Leave extra room ahead so you can slow without a sudden stop. Do not wave the taxi around you into the intersection; that could put it into the officer's path or the pedestrian's path. If the taxi passes recklessly, let it go and do not chase or block it. Your job is to protect the pedestrian and obey the officer, not to control the driver behind you.