Vehicle Control System and Method for Operating a Driving Function According to a Preceding Vehicle

A vehicle control system provides a driving function for the automated longitudinal control of a vehicle. The vehicle control system is configured to ascertain, based on environmental data related to a preceding vehicle driving in front of the vehicle in question, that the preceding vehicle is crossing an intersection associated with a signaling unit. The vehicle control system is additionally configured to automatedly control, in reaction to the ascertainment, the vehicle across the intersection behind the preceding vehicle even if the vehicle control system has been unable to unequivocally ascertain the status of the signaling unit in respect of the vehicle being allowed to cross the intersection.