Final answer:
Vehicle drivers must stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians when entering a roadway from elsewhere. Traffic signals improve safety by allowing pedestrians to cross safely and encouraging drivers to follow speed limits, thereby reducing accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a vehicle enters a roadway from a driveway, alley, private road, or any other place not defined as a roadway, there is a fundamental rule it must follow: stop and yield the right-of-way to both traffic on the main road and pedestrians.
This is not only a matter of traffic regulation but also a crucial aspect of road safety.
Pedestrian safety remains a significant issue, especially around areas with heavy foot traffic such as school campuses. Vehicles must be mindful of students and others crossing intersections.
The installation of a traffic signal can serve as a measure to mitigate the risks by allowing pedestrians to cross at specific, safer times.
Moreover, traffic signals can have a positive impact on vehicle speeds. These signals enforce slower and more cautious driving because drivers are aware that they cannot simply speed through. In situations where, for instance, vehicles approaching an intersection tend to ignore the speed limit, a traffic light acts as a deterrent to such behavior, compelling drivers to adhere to the speed limit.
The ultimate purpose of these traffic control measures is to reduce accidents and ensure that everyone, whether in a vehicle or on foot, can safely navigate the transport system.