Final answer:
It is illegal to enter an intersection on a green light if pedestrians are crossing, to ensure their safety, although the existence of red lights, stop signs, or yield signs for other traffic directions is not a reason to stop for a driver with a green light. A traffic signal can enforce speed limits and decrease accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Even with a green light, it is illegal to go through an intersection if there is a pedestrian crossing the intersection. This rule prioritizes pedestrian safety and ensures that those on foot, particularly students and others around campuses, can cross at appropriate times without having to dodge traffic. The presence of a red light or stop signs for the cross traffic, or yield signs at the intersection, are not direct reasons for a driver with a green light to stop, as these are controls for the other traffic flows. However, a traffic signal installation can broadly improve safety by forcing vehicles to slow down and abide by speed limits, thereby reducing the likelihood of traffic accidents. Adding a traffic signal at an intersection where many vehicles previously sped through without regard to speed limits and where the accident rate was high can mitigate these risks significantly.