“In this lesson, you will learn about following the road, straight ahead at traffic lights.
The key points are:
– The traffic light sequence
– Using the hazard routine when approaching
– Waiting at the traffic lights
– Moving off when the lights are green
– Safety checks after the traffic lights
Red means stop behind the stop line. Red and amber, you can prepare to go but you must remain behind the stop line. Green, you can go if the road is clear and it is safe to do so. Amber, showing alone, stop behind the stop line. Red, after amber, the sequence starts all over again with a red light.
When approaching, for a safe approach, to the junction, use the hazard routine. As soon as you see the traffic lights or advanced warning sign, check your mirrors and ask yourself what are the drivers behind doing and is it safe to slow down.
Because you are going straight ahead, you don’t need a direction signal. But, if you slow down with the brakes, you will be giving a brake light signal to drivers behind. Sometimes a light touch on the brake pedal to activate the brake lights can warn drivers behind you that you are slowing down and preapring to stop – They might not have seen the traffic lights ahead.
Keep your normal road position if there are no obstructions. You must be able to safely stop behind the stop line if the lights change to amber or are showing red. You can only keep going if the amber light appears after you have crossed the stop line or if you are so close to it that stopping might cause an accident.
If the lights are green, you can continue, but you must always look out for vehicles in the road you are crossing. Emergency vehicles sometimes cross red lights, but there are other drivers who might go through on red, for example drivers who don’t see the lights or even criminals who are being chased by the police.
Waiting at the lights – Stop behind the stop line and secure your car with the handbrake. Keep looking for anything that might affect you when the lights change, for example are there any pedestrians around who might cross in front of you.
Moving off on green – Green means you can go if it is safe to do so. You must look all around to make sure that it is safe. Remember that there is a possibility of other vehicles jumping the red lights from another direction. Also look out for pedestrians and cyclists. You must not go on green if the road is not clear.
After passing through the traffic lights, check your mirrrors and ask yourself whether it is safe to increase your speed. If it’s safe, gently accelerate up to a safe driving speed to suit the traffic conditions and speed limit.”
