* Traffic lights

First, traffic lights are not often used at minor road crossings, which are usually moderated only by give-way lines, see junctions. They are usually shown at main road crossings and gyratories (such as spiral roundabouts). While pedestrian crossings are always separate from road traffic controls, usually provided by pelican, puffin, toucan or Belisha flashing lights; see * Pedastrian crossing.

Second, traffic lights are usually not set up on overhead gantries in the centre of crossings as they are in China. They are usually set up on the edge of pavements just before the solid stop line on your side. The lights on your stop line are the primary signal lights. In most cases, there are secondary signal light posts ahead of your stop line as a repeater, in case large vehicles (like double-decker buses or HGVs) block your view of the primary ones. On busy main roads with multiple lanes, both primary and secondary signal lights may also be duplicated on the left and right, so in such cases, you will see 3 to 5 lights that switch simultaneously 😨

Traffic lights in the UK usually cycle through the sequence below (stage plan), with no flashing or countdown as China does before the switch happens.

Pattern 1 (Most common)

1. 🔴 Steady red lights are smart-controlled, depending on real-time traffic. If you see them, slow down smoothly in advance and stop fully before the stop line (ideally leaving about one car length), in case it doesn’t change to green as you approach.
2. 🔴🟡 Steady red + amber (2 seconds). This light is for move-off preparation; do not cross the stop line (that is why you’d better keep about one car length to the stop line).
3. 🟢 Steady green is also smart-controlled. Always be prepared to brake, because you never know when it will change. Ease off the gas and pass the stop line steadily.
   1. Yellow box hatched areas are usually used at some busy junctions; check early before crossing the stop line, as you don’t want to queue in the yellow box unless turning right, otherwise, you will get a fine of £100
   2. Give way to oncoming traffic if there are no right-arrow lights. Do not panic even if you don’t have a chance to turn right for a long time. Position yourself in the centre of the junction and be patient.
   3. Do not panic when you see the secondary lights change when you cross the stop line; focus on the next pieces of information you must digest—for example, the next pelican crossing or a rushing moped/cyclist.
4. 🟡 Steady amber (0.5 to 3 seconds, depending on speed zone) will be on without any flashing or countdown. Try to brake and stop smoothly if there is enough distance to do so. In practice, you need to make a good assumption about a No-Return Line when you have to deal with it in some fast roads
   1. Know the braking distance of your car in different situations; imagine the No-Return Line as a safe (not harsh) braking distance to the stop line or primary signal light.
   2. Check the interior mirror when you decide to stop before the stop line.
   3. Proceed steadily if you are aware of the danger of stopping before the stop line when the amber lights just switch from green lights
   4. Do not stare at the secondary lights after passing the stop line; be cautious of the next information or hazards.

Pattern 2 (Right turning heavy)

1. 🔴
2. 🔴🟡
3. 🟢 Find a good place for right turning if you intend to turn right
4. Green right-turning arrow, oncoming traffic will only see 🔴 red lights so you have your privilege to turn right, but you can only turn right under this signal, do not straight-on nor U-turn
5. 🟡 Amber lights may be optional in this case, because it is not realistic to drive that fast before turning; there is no significant dilemma zone compared to faster roads

Pattern 3 (Complicated crossings or gyratories)

1. 🔴
2. 🔴🟡
3. 🔴 🟢 ⬆  Red light company with a green arrow light to a certain direction; do not blindly follow others
4. 🔴 🟢 ➡ Red light company with a green arrow light to a certain direction; do not blindly follow others
5. 🟡 Amber lights may be optional in this case

Pattern 4 (Old Pelican crossing)

1. 🔴
2. 🟡⚡️🟡 Amber lights flash for at least 6 seconds (and sometimes longer). This can be confusing, so pelican crossings are being phased out in favour of safer puffin crossings these days. Go forward if there are no pedestrians using or approaching the crossing. Scan the pavements on both sides quickly before approaching stop lines
3. 🟢 Similar to the green light in other cases: no flashing, no countdown before changing
4. 🟡

Temporary traffic light at roadworks

See the Red plates before the temporary traffic light as the virtual stop line

Nice to read and watch

url: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/light-signals-controlling-traffic
title: "The Highway Code - Light signals controlling traffic - Guidance - GOV.UK"
description: "Light signals used to control traffic, including traffic light signals, flashing red lights, motorway signals and lane control signals."
host: www.gov.uk
favicon: https://www.gov.uk/assets/frontend/favicon-24f9fbe064118d58937932e73edafd1d50cb60f7bd84f52308382a309bc2d655.ico
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