Final answer:
You must obey a police officer over any other traffic control devices like steady or flashing red lights or STOP signs, as they have the authority to direct traffic beyond the static rules for safety and order.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to the rules of the road and the authority of signals and instructions, you must always obey a police officer over a steady red light, a flashing red light, or a STOP sign. The reason behind this is that a police officer, as an agent of law enforcement, has the discretionary power to override traffic signals for safety or to direct traffic in a way that the static signals cannot account for. For example, if a traffic accident occurs at an intersection, a police officer may direct traffic despite what the traffic signals indicate.
Authorities such as state police have the jurisdiction to enforce traffic laws on highways, while local or county police enforce laws within their limited area. In any interaction with a police officer, the officer's directions must be followed, as they serve as a legitimate source of authority in maintaining road safety and order.