Final answer:
You must always stop your vehicle when a police officer is directing traffic and instructs you to do so. Traffic signals are in place to control traffic flow and enhance safety. Police officers serve as legitimate authority figures on the road and can direct traffic, but their authority is limited to their official duties.
Step-by-step explanation:
You must always stop when a police officer is directing traffic and instructs you to stop. This is a general traffic rule that applies regardless of the situation, including when a traffic signal is present. However, there may be exceptional circumstances where breaking a traffic rule could be seen as more beneficial. For example, if you are driving at 4 AM with a pregnant woman who is about to deliver and you're only 2 miles from the hospital, utility might dictate that proceeding through the red light is the morally acceptable choice according to rule utilitarianism (RU). Yet, this is an ethical consideration rather than a legal one, and legally, one must stop at the light.
It's important to note that a traffic signal's primary purpose is to control the flow of traffic and ensure safety. It's designed to make vehicles slow down and not speed through an intersection without regard to posted speed limits. Such measures also enhance pedestrian safety, allowing people to cross intersections safely without having to dodge traffic.
Concerning interactions with law enforcement, police officers are a legitimate source of authority on the road. While they have the power to issue tickets for traffic violations or direct traffic for safety reasons, their authority does not extend to personal requests beyond the scope of their official duties.