Ch. 1 · Common Conduct

When a police officer's hand signals and traffic light signals show different instructions, which should you follow?

[Multiple choice · Medium]

Answer: B: The police officer's hand signals

Explanation

Article 1 of the Rules of the Road clearly 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." Therefore, you must follow the police officer's hand signals.

Driving school curriculumStage 1 – Topic 2: Following traffic signals

Hikari
Hikari
If the light says green but the officer is signaling stop, I'd follow the light, right?
Yui
Yui
Actually, you follow the police officer's hand signals. They always take priority over traffic lights.
Hikari
Hikari
Whoa, really? Even if the light is green?
Yui
Yui
Exactly. The officer on the ground can see things the light can't—so trust 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.