What does a flashing red light mean?

A flashing red light indicates that a driver must treat the signal like a stop sign. This means the driver must come to a complete stop and yield to any other vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection before proceeding. The purpose of the flashing red light is to alert drivers that they need to be especially cautious at that intersection, similar to the expectation created by a stop sign.

Understanding this concept is crucial for safe driving practices, as it helps to prevent confusion and accidents at intersections where visibility may be limited or where other vehicles might be moving unpredictably. The other options do not convey the same requirement to stop completely, which is the essence of the flashing red light rule.