How to Read Four Traffic Lights?
3 Answers
The method for observing four traffic lights is as follows: 1. Red light: Vehicles (including bicycles, motorcycles, and electric vehicles) cannot go straight or turn left but can turn right. 2. Green light: Vehicles can go straight, turn left, or turn right (pay special attention to the directional arrows on the traffic lights). 3. Directional light is green: Vehicles can proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow on the traffic light. 4. Directional light is red: Vehicles cannot proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow on the traffic light. Additional information: 1. Traffic lights: Also known as traffic signal lights, they are light signals that change alternately at specified times, usually installed at intersections or other special locations to assign the right of way to drivers and pedestrians, regulating their movement and turns as traffic control facilities. 2. Traffic light alternation pattern: The general sequence is straight, right turn, left turn; the second pattern is straight with simultaneous left and right turns. There may be slight variations in different cities and at different intersections.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and when encountering multiple traffic lights, I always take a moment to identify which light controls my lane. At intersections, each direction usually has its own set of signals—look at the one overhead or directly ahead, not the wrong direction. For example, watch the green straight arrow for going straight or the left-turn arrow for turning left. Once on a complex overpass, my straight light turned green while the turn signal stayed red—I waited until all were green to avoid a ticket. New drivers might panic, but practice makes perfect—the key is forming the habit of checking light colors for a few seconds before moving, safety first. Remember, light positions usually match lanes; don’t get distracted by other lanes to prevent rear-ends or violations.
When I first started learning to drive, seeing four traffic lights at an intersection really confused me—I wasn’t sure which one to follow. Later, I asked my instructor, and he said the simplest method is to focus on the signal directly ahead in your lane and ignore the others. Now, I’ve learned to observe the lights more carefully: accelerate only when it turns green, prepare to stop at yellow, and never run a red light. Urban intersections often have separate lights for going straight, turning left, or turning right—arrow signals are the clearest, but if there aren’t any, I rely on intuition. With enough practice, it becomes second nature. I started testing this in quiet neighborhood roads first—safe and no rush. If a light is broken or unclear, I just stop and wait; it’s always better than taking risks. Driving is all about patience—you’ll get through it eventually.
