Final answer:
When you come to a railroad crossing with flashing signals, you should stop and wait until the train passes by. Traffic signals also play a vital role in managing vehicle speed and pedestrian safety at intersections.
Step-by-step explanation:
When approaching a railroad crossing where the crossing signals are flashing, the correct action to take is to stop moving and remain stationary until the train has passed by. It is crucial to prioritize safety in this situation.
In traffic safety, a traffic signal serves a critical function in controlling vehicle speeds and ensuring pedestrian safety. For example, when dealing with vehicle traffic speeding through intersections, a traffic signal can enforce speed limits and provide safe crossing opportunities for pedestrians. A similar principle of safety applies when dealing with railroad crossings.
Special circumstances, such as medical emergencies, may prompt the consideration of different actions, like proceeding through a red light when a pregnant woman is about to give birth. However, this is an exception and typically requires immediate danger or life-threatening circumstances to justify.
Lastly, the installation of traffic signals can be compelled by the need to reduce accidents at problematic intersections, particularly those with high incident rates or severe accidents.