Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) Law Enforcement Driver Practice Test

When approaching an intersection, the most appropriate action is to yield to other traffic and proceed with caution. This approach emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and safety in potentially hazardous environments. Intersections are points where multiple traffic flows converge, making them high-risk areas for accidents. By yielding, a driver ensures that they are giving right-of-way as required by traffic laws and observing the flow of traffic around them.

Yielding encourages the driver to assess the situation actively. It allows them to determine whether it is safe to enter the intersection or if they need to wait for other vehicles or pedestrians to pass. Proceeding with caution means being prepared to stop if necessary, rather than assuming you have the right-of-way simply because you have a green light or are at a stop sign. The emphasis on caution acknowledges that even if you have the legal right to proceed, it is vital to consider other factors such as visibility, speed of oncoming vehicles, and the presence of pedestrians.

In contrast, speeding up to clear the intersection quickly could lead to dangerous situations if another vehicle is already in the intersection or if pedestrians are crossing. Coming to a complete stop at all intersections is impractical and unnecessary unless there are specific stop signs or traffic signals indicating the need to stop.