Safe Motoring At Traffic Light Controlled Junctions
Traffic lights are often found at busy road junctions for one reason, they ease traffic flow by switching priorities in sequence, allowing vehicles from one direction to move on unobstructed whilst vehicles from a seperate direction are held back. This makes driving over the juction far safer than if no traffic light was used.
However, recent statistics show that dangerous driving at traffic light junctions is on the increase. More motorists seem willing to jump both red and amber lights. The following details how the law abiding motorist can counter these dangerous drivers and keep themselves and their passengers safe.
Firsly it is wise to revise what a green traffic light is telling you. The common belief is that a green light is saying "go" when it is actually saying "go but only if the road ahead is clear and it is safe to do so".
When approaching a a green light you must also consider how long it has been green? The longer is has been green the sooner it will change to amber. Amber doesn't mean speed up in order to get through the lights before they change to red'. It means stop.
Even though the lights are green and so telling you to proceed, always look both ways as you approach the junction, to make sure the road is clear. By taking a moment to look both ways, even when the light is green, you might be able to spot a vehicle that has jumped and amber or red light.
It is also wise to regulary check your centre mirror as you drive towards a green light. It may be that another vehicle is tailgating you in which case, by spotting that the green light is about to turn amber in good time, you can slow down early, brake more gently and reduce the chances of a collision from behind.
The safest method of approaching a traffic light controlled junction is:
As you near the junction use the mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine. Reduce your speed and be prepared to stop. Never accelerate and try to pass through an amber light. As you reach the traffic light stop if the light shown is amber or red. If green make sure the road ahead is clear before you drive on.
The standard traffic light sequence in Britain is:
Red light - stop and wait at the stop line.
Red and Amber - Stop. Do not move off until the lights change to green.
Green - Go if it is clear and safe to do so. Give way to pedestrians who are crossing.
Amber - Stop. Only continue if the amber light appears after you have crossed the stop line or if you are so close to it would be dangerous to stop.
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