Final answer:
You must always adhere to the instructions of traffic-control officers over traffic signs or signals as they have the real-time authority to manage traffic and ensure safety. Traffic signals play a critical role in pedestrian safety, especially near schools and campuses. They are also essential for reducing accident rates at dangerous intersections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Always obeying signals given by a traffic-control officer is an important principle of road safety, even if those signals contradict traffic signs or signals. This directive underscores the authority and judgment of officers who are present at an intersection or road section and are better positioned to assess dynamic traffic situations than static signs. Officers might provide signals to mitigate unforeseen hazards, manage traffic at an accident scene, or handle other situations that require immediate human assessment and intervention.
Pedestrian safety is another vital consideration. Traffic signals regulate not just vehicle movement but also provide a system for pedestrians to cross intersections safely. In areas with a high volume of foot traffic, such as near schools or campuses, signals are a crucial mechanism for ensuring that students and other pedestrians can navigate crossings without the risk of dodging traffic.
Lastly, the installation of a traffic signal can significantly reduce accidents. High accident rates, especially those resulting in injury or loss of life, are compelling reasons to install or update signaling at problematic intersections. These measures are in line with a broader goal of enhancing road safety and reducing the likelihood of traffic-related incidents.