Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Practice Exam 2025 - Free TCOLE Practice Questions and Study Guide

A citizen is allowed to proceed past a red light when directed by a traffic officer due to the authority that traffic officers possess in controlling roadway situations for safety. Traffic officers act as agents of the law and have the discretion to direct traffic, which may necessitate overriding standard traffic signals for the sake of public safety and order. When an officer is present, their instructions take precedence over traffic signals, ensuring that vehicles flow smoothly or that specific safety measures are observed.

In contrast, scenarios that are not correct typically involve legal restrictions or lack the controlling authority of traffic regulations. For instance, while emergencies may lead to one making risky decisions, it does not provide a legal basis to bypass a red light unless specific conditions apply, such as using proper lights and sirens in emergency vehicles. Similarly, simply encountering an empty intersection does not negate the requirement to obey traffic signals, and traffic signs must directly indicate such an action for it to be legally permissible.