How To Approach Crossroads Controlled By Traffic Lights

Crossroads controlled by traffic lights are usually found at busier junctions. They are designed to keep the traffic flowing. Some traffic light junctions have specific road markings and signs indicating which lane you should use to turn left, right or go straight ahead. Most traffic light junctions will not have road markings. You should approach these junctions the same as you would approach a normal crossroads without traffic lights. Use the MSPSL routine on the approach.

Traffic Light Sequence

Green – Go, providing it is safe to go.
Amber – Stop, if is safe to do so. It may not be safe if you are so close to the stop line that by stopping, you might cause an accident.
Red – Stop, do not pass the stop line.
Steady Amber and Red on together – Prepare to go.
Green – Go, providing it is safe to go.

Approaching Green Traffic Lights – You need to look well ahead and identify the crossing in good time. In particular, consider how long the lights have been on green. It may be that if they have been on green for a long time they may be about to change to red. Do not speed up on the approach. You should always approach in a defensive manner and, if need be, start to ease off your accelerator. You need to be at a speed when you approach, that you could stop safely should the lights change to red, unless you are so close to the stop line that by stopping, you might cause an accident.

Position – If you are turning left, take up a normal left turn position. If you are going straight ahead, approach in your normal driving position for straight ahead – this is generally the same as a left turn position. If you are turning right, approach in a normal right turn position – just left of the centre line.

Priority – If the lights are green and you are turning left you will have priority over any oncoming vehicle. However, check carefully to ensure that if there is a vehicle waiting to turn right in front of you, it does not start to turn. If it is does, reduce your speed and allow it to turn, then continue with your left turn if it is safe to do so. If your view is obscured and you cannot see if a vehicle is going to turn right in front of you, reduce your speed until you can see it is safe to continue.

If the lights are green and you are going straight ahead – again, you will have priority over any oncoming vehicle. However, once again check carefully to ensure that if there is a vehicle waiting to turn right in front of you, it does not start to turn. If there is a vehicle waiting to turn right, reduce your speed so you are in a position to stop if need be. If it does turn right, allow it to turn, then continue if it is safe to do so. If your view is obscured and you cannot see if a vehicle is going to turn right in front of you, reduce your speed until you can see it is safe to continue.

If the lights are green and you are turning right, you do not have priority over oncoming traffic. Any oncoming vehicle turning left or coming straight ahead has priority. If there is an oncoming vehicle also turning right, neither of you have priority.

Observations – Regardless of whether you are turning left, right or going straight ahead, you should check the extra roads. It may be that an emergency vehicle or cyclist ignore the red light and try and cross in front of you.

Turning Right – Turning offside to offside – you will need to look at how the oncoming vehicle is positioning itself. If the vehicle moves forward towards the centre of the road, it is likely that you will position yourself alongside it so you can turn behind it. The advantage to this method is that you get a better view of the other vehicles approaching the junction.

Turning nearside to nearside – again, you will need to look at how the oncoming vehicle is positioning itself. If the vehicle holds back, it is likely that you will position yourself slightly to the right and infront of the oncoming car. Ensure you keep enough distance between you and the vehicle opposite so you can both turn safely. The disadvantage with this method is that your view of other vehicles approaching the junction is blocked.