What is the purpose of traffic signals?

Traffic signals play a critical role in controlling the flow of traffic and ensuring safety for all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. By providing clear and standardized signals such as red, yellow, and green lights, traffic signals regulate when vehicles must stop or proceed, helping to prevent accidents and maintain orderly traffic flow. This system minimizes confusion and enhances predictability on the road, allowing drivers to make safer decisions.

While giving directions, enhancing aesthetics, and monitoring speeds have their own importance in different contexts, they do not represent the primary function of traffic signals. Traffic signals are specifically designed with the main goal of managing traffic effectively and safely, which is why this option is the most accurate answer to the question.