How to Read Traffic Lights While Driving?

[OHayden]

To correctly read traffic lights, you must first confirm the lane you are in. You can check the lane markings - generally, a straight arrow in the middle indicates a straight-through lane. After identifying your lane, observe the corresponding traffic light signal for that lane. The straight arrow on the traffic light represents the signal for straight-through lanes. At some intersections without turn lanes, there won't be arrow indicators on the traffic lights - only a circular light. In such cases, simply observe the color of the light. Before a green light turns red, a yellow light will illuminate and flash for a short period. During this time, you need to judge whether you can safely cross the intersection within this interval.

[McBraxton]

The most basic rule of traffic lights is to stop at red and go at green, but in practice, there are many details to pay attention to. When the light turns green, don't just rush forward—make sure the intersection is safe, especially yielding to pedestrians when turning right. At some intersections where left turns and straight traffic are released simultaneously, be extra cautious of oncoming vehicles. If the yellow light comes on and you've already crossed the stop line, continue through; otherwise, stop properly—never try to rush that extra second or two. I usually start observing signal changes about 50 meters before the intersection. If the traffic light is blocked by trees or visibility is poor due to heavy rain, I prefer to approach slowly. Special indicator lights, like arrow signals, require extra attention: a red right-turn arrow means no turning, and a green left-turn arrow means it's safe to proceed. Maintaining a safe following distance at intersections is crucial, as the vehicle ahead might block your view of the signal, leading to misjudgment.

[StBeau]

When waiting at traffic lights, there are three main rules to follow: you must stop behind the line at a red light, you can proceed on green but must observe both sides, and a yellow light indicates an impending red light requiring judgment based on your position. Typically, I start slowing down and observing the light changes about 100 meters before the intersection. A green light flashing three times usually serves as a warning that it's about to turn yellow. At intersections with full circular green lights, both straight-going and left-turning vehicles can proceed simultaneously, but left-turning vehicles must yield to oncoming straight-going traffic. Traffic lights are positioned at varying heights at different intersections, so adapting in advance is crucial. If you're behind a large truck and can't see the signal at all, maintain a distance of at least two car lengths to observe the light color. Some smart traffic lights come with countdown functions, making it easier to anticipate changes.

[MacPenelope]

The core logic of traffic light control is actually quite simple: stop at red and go at green. However, after driving in the city for a while, you'll notice many practical situations that require attention. For example, some intersections have directional lights, and you can only turn left when the left-turn arrow turns green. Never rush through a yellow light—legally, it counts as running a red light. I've developed a habit of keeping my foot on the brake when approaching intersections, especially being extra cautious about rear-end collisions when the light is about to change. At night, pay even more attention and slow down in advance at sections where the traffic lights are not bright enough. On rainy days when the windshield fogs up and obstructs the view of the traffic lights, turning on the wipers and activating the defogger is crucial. When I first got my driver's license, I was most afraid of multiple sets of traffic lights at complex intersections, but now I understand that I just need to focus on the light group corresponding to my lane.