About Traffic Signals and Its Colors

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Traffic lights have been established in most cities around the world. Traffic lights, which may also be known as Traffic signals, stoplights, traffic lamps, stop-and-go lights, semaphore or robots, are signalling devices situated at road junctions, pedestrian walk ways and other places to control the heavy flows of traffic.

The most widespread colors used in traffic lights are Red, Amber (Yellow), and Green. Red normally means stop or high level of danger; Amber typically means caution; and Green usually means proceed with care. The red light includes some orange in its hue, and the green light contains some blue, to provide some backing for people with red-green color blindness. In the UK, traffic signal lights usually have a white reflective border which facilitates color blind users, during the hours of darkness, to differentiate the lights from other similarly-colored street or automobile lights, and to allow them to discriminate the lights by upright position. The international standard is for the Red to be above the Green, and if there is also Amber, it is placed in the middle. If the three-set lights are arranged horizontally, the Red will naturally be to the left of the Green. The principles apply whether the country drives on the left or the right, but the position of the mountings of the signal on the road would be mirror images of the other.

Always drive your vehicle with in the speed limit. Traffic signals are timed to act best when traffic goes the speed limit. Driving quicker will get you to the next signal too early, causing you to stop more frequently. The best way to escape stopping is to slow down when you see a red light ahead and give it time to change to green. While stopping at the traffic signals, always stop your vehicle behind the 'stop line marks' at red lights. Many road junctions have vehicle detectors (wire loops) embedded in the nearby pavement. These signals can sense the presence of vehicles and let the traffic controller know that vehicles are waiting. Stopping behind the line assure that the controller "senses" your car and keeps the crosswalk clear for pedestrians.

As a pedestrian, use the 'pedestrian push buttons' (if there is one) when you want to cross the street. Pressing the button on the signal poles will cause the 'start crossing' signal to be displayed. The signal will not come into view more quickly if you push the button more than once or hold it down. Your waiting depends on when in the signal cycle you pressed the button.

While riding a bicycle, stop on the bicycle symbol for a green light. Bicycles can make active traffic signals just as cars do. Stop your bicycle directly over the bike symbol on the pavement, positioning your wheels up with the two narrow stripes on either side of the symbol. This will line you directly over the vehicle detector and wait for the signal to change. When you're riding your bicycle on a path and come to a traffic signal, use the pedestrian push button and follow the pedestrian signals.