Final answer:
Drivers should yield to traffic in a roundabout or traffic circle to improve safety and flow. Traffic signals manage speeds and pedestrian crossings effectively. Compliance with these rules is crucial for overall road safety, barring exceptional situations like certain emergency scenarios.
Step-by-step explanation:
When approaching a traffic circle or roundabout, it is essential for safety and traffic flow that drivers yield the right of way to vehicles already in the traffic circle. This is because many vehicles tend to speed through intersections without observing the posted speed limit. Traffic signals can play a crucial role in managing traffic speeds and enhancing pedestrian safety, as they would require vehicles to slow down and allow pedestrians to cross at regulated times. The installation of a traffic signal at a busy intersection can result in a reduction of speeding vehicles and accidents, subsequently improving safety for both pedestrians and drivers.
There are instances described in traffic studies and theoretical scenarios, like those involving a medical emergency, where breaking a traffic rule such as proceeding through a red light could be considered if it results in greater utility and no immediate harm. However, in most cases, adherence to traffic signals and road rules is essential for the overall safety of road users.