Ch. 1 · Common Conduct

When a police officer is directing traffic using hand signals, even if those hand signals differ from the traffic light signals, the police officer's hand signals take priority.

[True / False · Easy]

Answer: ✓ True

Explanation

This is correct because Article 1 of the Rules of the Road states: "Even if the hand signals or light signals differ from the traffic light signals, the signals given by the police officer or traffic-directing officer take priority." Police officers' hand signals have priority over traffic lights.

Driving school curriculumStage 1 – Topic 2: Following traffic signals

Hikari
Hikari
If the cop's signal is different from the light, I should follow the light, right?
Yui
Yui
Nope, the officer's hand signals always take priority over traffic lights. That's true.
Hikari
Hikari
Whoa, really? Even if the light is green?
Yui
Yui
Yep! The officer is managing the situation in real time, so always follow their signals first.

Source: Ch. 1 Common Conduct · Section (第３節 警察官などの指示に従うこと) · 手信号や灯火による信号が信号機の信号と違つていても、その警察官や交通巡視員の信号の方が優先します。

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Source content excerpted from the NPA “Rules of the Road” instructional manual, in the public domain under Japanese Copyright Act Article 13(2). Explanations are AI-assisted and copyrighted by the MenkyoQuest editorial team.