Traffic Light Phases

Four phases, each with a specific, official meaning:

Light	Meaning
Red	STOP	Red + Amber together	STOP — a warning to get ready, not a signal to move.	Green You may go on, if the road is clear.	Amber alone	STOP at the line

Two of these repay a closer look.

Red + Amber is the phase learners most often get wrong: it means the change to green is imminent — get ready — but it still means stop. Moving on Red+Amber is moving on red.

Green isn't unconditional. The official meaning is "go on if the road is clear" — a green light doesn't override the obligation to give way to a vehicle already committed to crossing your path, or to pedestrians still crossing the road you're turning into.

Some junctions add a green arrow alongside the full signal, permitting a specific filtered movement (typically a turn) while the main phase controls straight-ahead traffic. Treat the arrow as its own separate instruction — not a general "green means go everywhere."

Key takeaways

Red = stop · Red+Amber = stop, get ready · Green = go if clear · Amber alone = stop at the line
Green never overrides the duty to give way to traffic already committed or pedestrians still crossing

Quick check

The light shows red and amber together. What does it mean?

A) You may move off, since green is imminent

B) Proceed with caution — the junction is changing state

C) Stop — it warns you to get ready, but it is still a stop signal

D) The lights are faulty — treat the junction as uncontrolled