Final answer:
Drivers must yield right of way at intersections, to emergency vehicles, at stop signs, and to school buses with activated signals. Special circumstances, like a medical emergency, may present a moral dilemma, but typically do not legally justify breaking traffic rules. Yielding to authority, like police officers, and understanding traffic signs are also important.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several situations in which a driver must yield the right of way to ensure safety and compliance with traffic laws. Some scenarios include:
- When approaching an intersection, drivers should yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
- Drivers must yield to emergency vehicles, such as ambulances or fire trucks, when they are using their flashing lights or sirens.
- At a stop sign, a driver must yield to all traffic on the through road before proceeding.
- In the presence of a school bus with its stop arm extended and lights flashing, drivers must yield and stop at a safe distance.
In special circumstances, such as when a pregnant woman is in the car and is close to giving birth, some may argue that breaking the usual traffic laws, like going through a red light at 4 AM when no other vehicles are around and you are en route to the hospital, could be justified for the greater good. However, this is not typically lawful and can be dangerous.
Reacting to authority and understanding when to comply is also part of yielding. For instance, when a police officer's vehicle lights are flashing behind you, the driver should pull over and yield to the officer's authority.
Knowing the universally accepted traffic signs and following established road patterns, such as those in a busy city's zigzagged streets, is crucial for safe driving and yielding appropriately.