Traffic lights and traffic officer signals

What is a traffic light for?

A traffic light regulates (controls) traffic coming from different directions. You may call it a robot. The test says traffic light or traffic signal.

Traffic signals are standard devices. They are traffic regulation signs made up of prescribed (laid down) light signals. The lights come on in specific sequences (a set order).

Traffic lights are used where they can control the traffic density (how much traffic there is) better:

• at intersections
• at junctions
• at pedestrian crossings

Must you obey a traffic light when the road is empty?

Yes. You must obey traffic lights at any hour, and whether or not other traffic is about.

There is one special case. When a traffic officer is directing traffic, the officer's signals take precedence over (come before) any other traffic signal.

What does a red traffic light mean?

A red traffic light means stop.

That is the steady red light. A flashing red light and a flashing red arrow have their own rules, explained below.

What does an amber traffic light mean?

An amber (yellow-orange) traffic light means stop. There is only one exception: where you cannot stop safely.

So amber does not mean hurry through. If you can stop safely, you must stop.

What does a green traffic light mean?

A green traffic light means go if it is safe.

Green does not mean go no matter what. Check that it is safe, then go.

What do the arrows on a traffic light mean?

It depends on the colour of the arrow. It also depends on whether the arrow is flashing or constant (steady).

• Flashing green arrows: you have right of way in the direction of the flashing arrow.
• Constant green arrow: it shows the direction in which traffic must go, for example at one-way streets.
• Constant amber arrow: stop and wait until the flashing green arrow shows that you may go.
• Flashing red arrow to the left: stop first. The next section explains what comes after.

What does a flashing red arrow to the left mean?

You must stop first. After stopping, you may turn if there is no traffic.

When you turn, you must yield (give way) to:

• pedestrian traffic
• oncoming traffic that wants to turn right
• traffic from the right that is passing through the intersection

What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

At a traffic light, a flashing red signal means you must stop. You may carry on when it is safe. Treat it as a stop sign.

At a railway crossing, a flashing red light means something else. It means that a train is coming. You may not drive on until the light stops flashing.

What does a flashing amber light mean?

A flashing amber disc (a round light) means drive on carefully, but yield to pedestrians.

While it flashes, pedestrians (people on foot) may cross the roadway. So look for them before you drive on.

What do the red and green figures mean for pedestrians?

The figure lights are for pedestrians. They are also called the red man and the green man. They show when a pedestrian may cross.

• Red figure: a pedestrian who has not started to cross must wait until the green figure shows.
• Flashing red figure: a pedestrian who has not yet entered the roadway must still wait for the green figure. A pedestrian who is already in the intersection must cross it as quickly as possible.

What do the arrows and crosses above a lane mean?

They tell you whether you may use the lane under them. They are called overhead lane direction control signals. Each one is displayed over one lane.

• Steady green arrow pointing down: you may drive in the lane under the arrow.
• Steady red cross: you must not drive in the lane under the cross. That lane might be open to vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.
• Yellow arrow pointing left or right: the lane you are driving in is closed ahead. You must leave the lane in the direction of the arrow.

What do a traffic officer's hand signals mean?

They tell you to stop or to go, and you must obey them. They are regulatory signals. Focus on the signals the officer gives and strictly obey the signal given.

The officer's signals take precedence over any other traffic signal. If the officer and a traffic light tell you different things, follow the officer.

Traffic officers use hand signals to direct traffic:

• in areas where there is high traffic congestion (very heavy, slow traffic)
• at the scene of an accident
• where the normal traffic signals are not working

There are five control hand signals. Three mean stop and two mean go.

• (a) Stop: stops traffic approaching the officer from the front.
• (b) Stop: stops traffic approaching the officer from the rear (from behind).
• (c) Stop: stops traffic approaching from the front and from the rear.
• (d) Go/Proceed: tells you that you may proceed (go on).
• (e) Go/Proceed: also tells you that you may proceed.

What do the flag signals mean?

A flag signal tells you to stop, to go, or to go slowly. The stop and proceed flag signals are regulatory signals.

They are used to direct traffic:

• where there are road works ahead
• where a herdsman is leading cattle or other animals across or next to a roadway

There are three flag signals to know:

• Flag signal to stop: you must stop, and wait until the proceed flag signal is displayed.
• Flag signal to proceed: you must proceed when this flag signal is displayed.
• Warning flag signal: proceed slowly and be alert.

Mistakes learners make

• Thinking amber means hurry through. Amber means stop, except where you cannot stop safely.
• Waiting at a flashing red traffic light for it to stop flashing. That is the railway crossing rule. At a traffic light you stop, then carry on when it is safe, as at a stop sign.
• Mixing up the green arrows. Flashing green arrows give you right of way in the direction of the arrow. A constant green arrow shows the direction in which traffic must go.
• Turning at a flashing red arrow to the left without stopping. Stop first, then yield to pedestrians, to oncoming traffic that wants to turn right and to traffic from the right.
• Following the traffic light when a traffic officer is directing traffic. The officer's signals take precedence over any other traffic signal.

Signs in this chapter

Steady green downward pointing arrowThis is an overhead lane direction control signal. It tells you that you may drive in the lane over which the arrow is displayed.

Steady red crossThis overhead lane signal tells you that you must not drive in the lane over which the cross is displayed.

Yellow arrow left and yellow arrow rightThis overhead lane signal tells you that the lane you are driving in is closed ahead.

Control hand signals for use by traffic officersThese are the hand signals a traffic officer uses to direct traffic. They are regulatory signals, and they take precedence over (come…

Flag signals: stop and proceedThese flag signals are regulatory signals used to direct traffic. One flag signal tells you to stop. The other tells you to proceed (go on).

Test yourself

1. Question 1

   You approach an intersection and the traffic light facing you is red. What does the law require you to do?

   • A Reduce speed and proceed with caution
   • B Yield to cross traffic and then proceed
   • C Stop
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Stop

   A red traffic light means stop.

2. Question 2

   You intend to turn left at an intersection where the traffic light shows a flashing red arrow to the left. What must you do before you may turn?

   • A Stop, then turn if there is no traffic
   • B Reduce speed and turn without stopping
   • C Wait until the arrow stops flashing
   Show answer

   Answer: A: Stop, then turn if there is no traffic

   At a flashing red arrow to the left you must first stop, then you may turn if there is no traffic.

3. Question 3

   You approach an intersection and the traffic light changes to amber. You are able to stop safely. What does the law require you to do?

   • A Accelerate to clear the intersection
   • B Proceed with caution without stopping
   • C Stop
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Stop

   An amber traffic light means stop.

4. Question 4

   What does a green traffic light indicate to a driver?

   • A Go, because all other traffic must yield
   • B Go if it is safe
   • C Stop, then go when the roadway is clear
   Show answer

   Answer: B: Go if it is safe

   A green traffic light means go if it is safe.

5. Question 5

   You intend to turn right at an intersection and the traffic light shows a flashing green arrow pointing to the right. What does the signal indicate?

   • A You have right of way in the arrow's direction
   • B You must stop and then turn when safe
   • C You must yield to oncoming traffic before turning
   Show answer

   Answer: A: You have right of way in the arrow's direction

   A flashing green arrow gives you right of way in the direction of the flashing arrow.

6. Question 6

   A flashing red signal at a traffic light must be obeyed in the same manner as which road traffic sign?

   • A A yield sign
   • B A no entry sign
   • C A stop sign
   Show answer

   Answer: C: A stop sign

   A flashing red signal means stop and carry on when it is safe, the same as at a stop sign.