Final answer:
Drivers are generally required to stop at a red signal before turning right, but must check for safety before proceeding. Traffic signals play a vital role in managing vehicle speed, ensuring pedestrian safety, and reducing accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a driver needs to turn right at an intersection and the signal is red, the default rule applicable in many regions is that the driver must first come to a complete stop, check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then proceed with the right turn if and only if it is safe to do so. There may be exceptions to this rule based on local traffic laws, signs that may specifically forbid a right turn on red, or special circumstances that temporarily override traffic laws, such as an emergency situation.
Considering traffic signals' role, they are pivotal in managing vehicle speed and ensuring pedestrian safety. Without these signals, pedestrians and non-motorized traffic must often contend with unpredictable vehicle movements. Furthermore, the presence of traffic signals can dramatically reduce the incidence of accidents, which in severe cases, can lead to loss of life. Police reports highlighting frequent accidents at specific intersections serve as strong justifications for the installation of traffic signals to improve overall safety.