What does a solid red traffic light mean?

A solid red traffic light indicates that drivers must come to a complete stop and should not proceed until the light changes to green. This signal is essential for maintaining traffic order and safety at intersections. It serves as a clear instruction for all vehicles to halt, allowing pedestrians to cross safely and ensuring that cross traffic can flow when the light changes.

Other options suggest actions that might be safe under different circumstances or traffic signals, but they do not align with the specific directive given by a solid red light. For instance, proceeding with caution or turning left implies that some movement is permissible, which contradicts the requirement to stop at a red light. Similarly, yielding to pedestrians is appropriate in certain situations, but it does not replace the requirement to stop at a red signal. Thus, recognizing the meaning of a solid red light is crucial for effective and safe driving.