Traffic lights may appear easy to understand, but they are unpredictable and are one of
the top 10 reasons for failing a Driving Test. Handling a traffic light safely is more difficult
than it looks, and an inexperienced driver can easily find themselves in a tricky situation
and put themselves in risk of an accident. In this video we will show how to deal with
traffic lights safely, so you can prevent any unnecessary danger or test fails.
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Let’s start with the basics - what the colours mean.
When we see a red light we must stop and wait at the stop line.
Red and amber lights mean that we should continue to stop and wait. We can’t go until the green light shows.
Once we see the green light, we can go if the way ahead is clear.
When the amber light shows, we should stop - unless we have already crossed the stop line,
or are so close to it that pulling up might cause an accident.
The lights always change in this set cycle, so we will always know what the next light will be.
This is important, as it allows us to anticipate what could happen and be ready to stop or go.
If we see a flashing amber light at a pedestrian crossing, we must give way to any pedestrians
on the crossing. If the amber light is flashing and there are no pedestrians, we may proceed
with caution.
As always, we should look well ahead up the road so that we spot the traffic lights as
early as possible. This will then allow us the maximum amount of time to approach the
traffic lights safely. If there is a choice of lanes at the junction, then we should get
into the correct lane in good time. We try to anticipate what might happen, and prepare
to stop if needed. Putting ourselves in a position where we are forced to brake hard
is dangerous, so if the lights have been green for some time then we may even reduce our
speed in case the lights change. Never be tempted to speed up to try and ’beat the
lights’, as it could develop into a dangerous situation.
We should use the Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre (or MSM) routine when approaching Traffic
Lights, the same as we would for any other junction. The benefit of knowing what is behind
us is that if there is another vehicle very close, we can choose to brake earlier and
more lightly to reduce the chance of behind hit from behind. Braking smoothly will give
following traffic more time to react, and reduce the chance of skidding when the road
is slippery.
The exact moment that a traffic light changes its light is unpredictable, so we will sometimes
notice the light change to amber just before we pass the lights. In this situation, if
it is too late to brake smoothly to a stop, then we are committed to passing the traffic
light - so we should keep going and cross the junction. Many larger junctions have a
secondary traffic light on the other side of the junction, but if we see this turn red
once we are in the junction, we must continue to cross the it. Essentially, once we cross
the stop line and enter the junction the traffic lights should be ignored.
A green arrow in a traffic light means we can filter in the direction the arrow is pointing,
even if the main light is not showing green. Filter lights can point left, right or straight
ahead. We shouldn’t enter the filter lane unless we want to go in the direction shown
by the arrow.
At some traffic lights there are advance stop lines to allow cyclists to position themselves
ahead of other traffic. When the lights are amber or red we should stop at the first white
line and avoid encroaching on the marked area, which is reserved for cyclists only. However,
if we have crossed the first white line at the time that the signal changes to red, we
must stop at the second white line even if you are in the marked area. We should allow
cyclists time and space to move off when the lights change to green.
Once we have stopped for a traffic light we have several options whilst waiting. If we
know we will be stopped for some time, or if we are several cars back from the traffic
light then we may as well select neutral, apply the handbrake, and relax - or Park if
you are in an automatic vehicle. Alternatively if we know that there will only be a short
pause before we go, or if we are the first car in the queue, then we might want to stay
in gear so that we are ready to go. This will save us having to rush when selecting a gear,
which might lead to a mistake.
Take extra care when turning right in case we need to give way to oncoming traffic. Even
though we have a green traffic light to allow us to enter the junction, oncoming traffic
might also have a green light. Just as at a normal right turn junction without traffic
lights, we must give way when necessary. Some junctions even have extra signs to remind
us to do this. If there are any pedestrians crossing the new road before we enter it,
they have priority over us and should be allowed to finish crossing the road.
If we find a set of temporary traffic lights, there won’t be a permanent stop line painted
on the road. Instead, we must stop behind the red sign placed before the traffic light.
This is sometimes placed well before the actual traffic light, but we must wait behind it
until the green light shows.
So remember to; Learn the sequence of traffic lights
Look ahead and use the MSM routine Once committed, keep going
Take extra care when turning right
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