Traffic lights
official source:web
Traffic lights (Overview)
Traffic lights control the flow of vehicles and pedestrians at intersections and along roads.
They indicate when to stop, when to go, and when to drive with extra caution.
Colours and signals include green, yellow (amber), red, and flashing variations.
Green light
A green light allows you to go straight, turn left, or turn right if the way is clear.
Yield to pedestrians already crossing and any vehicles in the intersection.
When turning left or right, always give right-of-way to pedestrians.
Yellow light
A yellow (amber) light warns that the red light is coming next.
You must stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, proceed with caution.
Be prepared to give right-of-way if needed.
Red light
You must come to a complete stop at the stop line or before entering the crosswalk/intersection.
Remain stopped until the light changes to green and the intersection is clear.
Unless prohibited by a sign, you may turn right on red after a full stop and ensuring it is safe.
You may turn left on red only from a one-way road onto another one-way road, after a full stop and ensuring it is safe.
Lights and arrows to help turning vehicles
Flashing green lights or green arrows guide drivers turning left or right.
These signals can give you an advanced phase to turn before oncoming traffic moves.
Advance green light or arrow
With a flashing green or a green arrow plus a green light, you may turn left, go straight, or turn right from the proper lane.
Oncoming traffic still faces a red light during your advanced green phase.
Pedestrians must not cross on a flashing green unless the pedestrian signal indicates otherwise.
Simultaneous left turn
A left-turn green arrow shown with a red light lets you turn left from the left-turn lane.
Opposing traffic may also have a similar arrow, allowing them to turn left.
After the left-turn arrow, a yellow arrow means the green light for oncoming traffic is about to appear.
Do not start turning on the yellow arrow—stop if safe; otherwise, complete your turn with caution.
Transit priority signals
A white vertical bar on top of a regular traffic light gives priority to public transit vehicles.
All other vehicles and pedestrians must wait if faced with a red while transit proceeds.
Fully protected left turn
Some intersections have separate lights for left-turning traffic and for traffic going straight or turning right.
When the left-turn arrow is green, only left-turn lanes proceed; other traffic sees red.
After the green arrow, a yellow light appears for left-turning vehicles only, followed by a red light for left turns.
You cannot begin turning left once the through-traffic light turns green—only turn during your designated arrow phase.
Flashing red light
Treat a flashing red light like a stop sign: come to a complete stop.
Proceed only when it is safe.
Flashing yellow light
A flashing yellow light signals you to drive with caution.
Slow down and be prepared for possible hazards as you move through the intersection.
Blank traffic lights
If traffic lights are out (e.g., power loss), treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
Yield to vehicles already in the intersection and those on your right if arriving simultaneously.
Traffic beacons
A single flashing light can be hung above intersections or over signs and obstacles.
Flashing red beacon: stop completely, proceed only when safe.
Flashing yellow beacon: proceed with caution.
Summary
Understand what each traffic light color and arrow indicates.
Know how to use advanced green lights and turning arrows correctly.
Recognize when to stop or proceed at flashing amber or red lights.
Be prepared for non-operational traffic lights and treat them like all-way stops.