Final answer:
Legally, one must stop at a flashing red light at a railroad crossing. However, Rule Utilitarianism might justify breaking this law in a case where a pregnant woman requires immediate medical attention. Generally, traffic laws aim to ensure safety and minimize accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you approach a railroad crossing with gates, red lights, and bells and the red lights have started to flash but the gates are still open, it's crucial to understand the safety procedures and laws. While real-life scenarios like a pregnant woman in the backseat on the verge of giving birth might dictate a different course of action, standard law requires all vehicles to stop when red lights at a railroad crossing begin to flash. This law is in place due to safety concerns for both the vehicle occupants and train passengers. In some cases, like the example provided, an individual might choose to prioritize immediate human safety over traffic laws; this is often referred to in ethical discussions as Rule Utilitarianism (RU), where the action that yields the greatest utility or good is considered morally right.
It's important to consider the consequences of both actions. Speeding through an intersection due to no traffic presence at 4 AM and hurrying to the hospital could be argued under RU. However, in general, we must adhere to traffic laws to ensure overall pedestrian safety and to minimize the number of accidents, as traffic signals are put in place to regulate vehicle flow and allow pedestrians to cross safely. For instance, before the installation of a traffic signal on Clay Street and Eagle Avenue, the absence of traffic control led to high-speed vehicles and increased accidents, negatively impacting pedestrian safety.
When confronted with the decision to stop or proceed at a red light at a railroad crossing, individual judgment is required, but the law always sides with safety. If a train is approaching, indicated by flashing red lights, failure to stop could result in a catastrophic collision. In critical, life-threatening scenarios with no other vehicles around, the law might be set aside in the name of an immediate life-saving action, but this is an exception, not the rule.