Final answer:
To determine the right of way at a 4-way intersection, the first vehicle to stop has the right to proceed first, or if multiple vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first. Traffic signals are essential for pedestrian safety, helping to regulate traffic and providing safe crossing times. Emergency situations may have exceptions to traffic rules, but safety and legal adherence are always paramount.
Step-by-step explanation:
At a 4-way or multi-stop intersection, determining who has the right of way involves several rules. Firstly, the first vehicle to stop at the intersection has the right to proceed first. If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way. In addition, vehicles already in the intersection have the right of way over those that are just arriving. If a vehicle is turning left and another is approaching from the opposite direction going straight or turning right, the vehicle going straight or turning right has the right of way.
For pedestrian safety, especially in busy areas such as school campuses, a traffic signal is important as it regulates the flow of traffic and provides safe times for pedestrians to cross the road. The presence of a traffic signal helps to slow down vehicles and prevent accidents.
In an emergency situation, such as when a pregnant woman is about to give birth and is being rushed to the hospital at 4 AM with no other traffic on the road, some regions may allow running a red light with appropriate caution as the urgency of the situation may be deemed to justify this action. However, this is not a general rule and one should always prioritize safety and follow traffic laws unless specific exceptions apply.