An Oregon traffic signal is flashing red. How should you treat it?
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A.
As a yield sign: slow down and proceed when the way is clear.
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B.
As a stop sign: come to a complete stop, then go when safe. Correct
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C.
Stop only if you can do so safely; otherwise drive carefully through.
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D.
Drive through without stopping if no traffic is visible.
The answer is "As a stop sign: come to a complete stop, then go when safe."
Oregon treats a flashing red signal exactly like a stop sign: you must come to a complete stop before the stop line or crosswalk, yield to any pedestrians and cross traffic, and proceed only when it is safe. The same rule applies if the signal is completely dark.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. As a yield sign: slow down and proceed when the way is clear.
A flashing yellow is closer to a yield (slow and proceed). A flashing red is more restrictive: you must stop. Misreading: Confuses the flashing red rule with the flashing yellow rule, which says slow down and proceed with caution.
C. Stop only if you can do so safely; otherwise drive carefully through.
That is the steady yellow rule, which warns the signal is about to turn red. A flashing red is treated as a stop sign: a complete stop is required every time, not only when stopping is convenient. Misreading: Applies the steady circular yellow rule (if you cannot stop safely, drive carefully through) to a flashing red, which the manual treats the same as a stop sign.
D. Drive through without stopping if no traffic is visible.
Any flashing red requires a complete stop at the line, regardless of visible traffic. Misreading: Skips the mandatory complete stop the manual requires by treating an empty intersection as an exception.
This question tests your knowledge of Traffic Signals in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Signs & Traffic Signals: Traffic Signals," p.15..
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