Final answer:
When yellow lights flash, drivers must follow the 25 mph speed limit in school zones. Adhering to traffic signals and posted speed limits is crucial for safety, even if drivers might occasionally feel impatient or in an emergency.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the yellow lights are flashing, all drivers approaching school zones must obey the posted speed limit of 25 mph. Drivers need to adhere to this rule for the safety of children and other pedestrians who may be present. School zones typically have reduced speed limits to ensure that drivers are traveling at a safe speed to react to the unpredictable movements that children can make when close to the road. Additionally, traffic signals are put in place to manage vehicle flow and ensure that safety is maintained. When drivers disregard posted speed limits, they are not only breaking traffic law, but they also endanger the lives of others.
Even in situations where it might feel justified to disregard traffic signals, such as an emergency with a pregnant woman needing to reach the hospital fast, it is generally advised to follow the rules of the road for everyone's safety. This also applies to situations described in anecdotes, such as the scenario with Peter, who experiences frustration when stuck behind a slower-moving vehicle. Understanding and respecting the de jure and de facto speed limits is crucial for the safe passage of all road users.