What does the presence of a police officer directing traffic indicate?

The presence of a police officer directing traffic signifies that drivers must follow the officer's instructions regardless of existing traffic signals or signs. This is because the officer is an authoritative figure managing the flow of traffic, often in situations where conditions may necessitate a temporary override of standard traffic control devices. The officer’s role is to ensure safety and maintain order in potentially chaotic traffic scenarios, such as accidents, road construction, or high pedestrian activity.

Ignoring traffic lights or assuming that traffic rules are suspended would be inappropriate and could lead to confusion or dangerous situations on the road. Training exercises involving police officers usually would not be conducted in a manner that impacts regular traffic, as the main goal during such exercises is to familiarize officers with traffic management and signaling techniques without disrupting normal driver behavior. Therefore, when an officer is present, their directions take precedence over signals to ensure the safety and efficiency of traffic flow.