Final answer:
When entering a cross intersection, it's crucial to ensure safety by checking that you can cross with a safe margin before an approaching car arrives. Traffic signals improve pedestrian safety, while vehicles must obey speed limits and signals unless there are life-threatening emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
A rule of thumb when entering a cross intersection is to ensure that it's safe to proceed before doing so. Pedestrian safety is a significant concern at cross intersections, especially within urban areas with high volumes of foot traffic from students and the public. Before crossing, a pedestrian should check that they can walk at least 4 meters—the width of a car plus an additional safety margin—before the approaching car reaches them. Assessing vehicle distance is imperative; a car should be far enough away that by the time you have crossed its path safely, it has not yet reached the point where you began crossing.
Moreover, the presence of traffic signals greatly improves the safety of crossing by providing clear indications of when it is appropriate to cross the road. In the case of vehicles, they are required to obey the speed limits and traffic signals, slowing down and stopping as dictated by the traffic laws, which dictate behavior for the safety of all road users. Special circumstances, such as an emergency where life is at risk, might justify breaking standard traffic rules, but this is the exception rather than the norm.