How to Correctly Read Traffic Signals?
3 Answers
Traffic signals consist of three colors: red, green, and yellow. Red indicates no passage, green indicates passage is allowed, and yellow serves as a warning. Traffic signals are categorized into: motor vehicle signals, non-motor vehicle signals, pedestrian crossing signals, directional indicator signals (arrow signals), lane signals, flashing warning signals, and railway crossing signals. At intersections, you can see three-color traffic signals hanging on all four sides, functioning as a silent "traffic police". Traffic lights are internationally standardized signals. The red light is a stop signal, while the green light is a go signal. At intersections, vehicles from several directions converge here, some going straight and others turning. Determining who proceeds first is governed by the traffic lights. When the red light is on, vehicles are not allowed to go straight or turn left, but right turns are permitted if they do not interfere with others or vehicles. When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to go straight or turn. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already passed the stop line or pedestrian crossing may continue. A flashing yellow light warns vehicles to pay attention to safety.
To correctly observe traffic signals, I've summarized several key points from years of driving experience. When approaching an intersection, start slowing down 50 to 100 meters away while scanning for color changes in the traffic lights ahead. Traffic lights typically follow a fixed sequence: red means stop, green means go, and yellow means wait—don't rush. Especially when the light turns green, don't immediately accelerate; first check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians, as sudden lane changes or jaywalking can be dangerous. During rain or at night, pay extra attention to the lights to avoid obscured visibility from weather conditions; I usually keep my headlights on for better illumination. At intersections with multiple signals, always identify the light directly facing your lane to avoid confusion with pedestrian signals. Developing this habit has significantly reduced my accident rate. Even when stopped at a red light, stay alert and be ready to move when it turns green. Remember, safety comes first—it's better to wait three minutes than risk one second. That's the safest approach.
As a novice driver who just got my license, I was particularly nervous about watching traffic signals when I first started driving. My instructor taught me to look ahead at the signals, starting to check the light color from about 30 meters before the intersection. Green light means go? Don't just rush forward - watch whether oncoming vehicles are slowing down or if pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk; I once almost hit someone because I didn't look carefully enough. After coming to a complete stop at red lights, don't immediately reach for your phone - stay attentive to signal changes. Flashing yellow lights are the most nerve-wracking - I simply stop and wait. New drivers tend to get distracted easily, so I keep the music volume low or turn it off completely to focus on the signals. During daytime when sunlight is strong, traffic lights might appear blurry, so I reduce speed to confirm. During the learning period, practice observing different signals at busy intersections - even when the pedestrian walk signal turns green, I wait instead of rushing. After maintaining this for several days, it becomes second nature. Traffic signals are our driving guides - failing to observe them properly can easily lead to accidents, so I constantly remind myself to stay vigilant.
