Final answer:
Left turns on red are generally prohibited unless directed by a traffic control device. Traffic signals increase pedestrian safety and enforce speed limits. In exceptional situations, ethical considerations may differ but do not change standard traffic laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
Left turns on a red traffic light after a complete stop is prohibited unless permitted by a traffic control device (green signal arrow or a white sign with a blue arrow). Traffic signals serve several critical functions such as regulating traffic flow and ensuring pedestrian safety. For example, at intersections near a campus, where many students cross, a traffic signal allows them to do so at appropriate times. Additionally, traffic signals can compel vehicles to slow down, thus adhering to speed limits and potentially reducing accidents.
In extraordinary circumstances, such as when a pregnant woman in the back seat is on the verge of labor, the moral argument from a Rule Utilitarianism (RU) standpoint may suggest that the utility gained from breaking the law to reach the hospital sooner outweighs the potential harm. However, such exceptions are subject to significant legal and ethical considerations and are not part of the standard traffic laws.