Traffic Signals, Road Markings and Right-of-Way
Signals and what each phase means
A three-colour light is read as: red means stop before the stop line; amber means stop unless stopping would be unsafe; green means proceed if the way is clear. A flashing amber at a pedestrian crossing means proceed only if no pedestrian is on the crossing. Green arrows bind only the direction they indicate, but you must still yield to traffic already inside the junction. Traffic-light failure reverts the junction to signs, and if no signs exist, to the right-hand rule.
Reading road markings
White markings separate traffic moving in the same direction; a solid white line may not be crossed, while a broken line may be crossed when safe. A solid line on your side with a broken line on the other side means only the side with the broken line may cross. Yellow markings mark restrictions such as no-parking zones or bus stops. Zebra stripes give pedestrians absolute priority once they have stepped onto the crossing. Stop lines, give-way triangles painted on the surface, and chevron areas (which must not be driven on) are common exam images described in text.
Right-of-way in practice
At an unmarked intersection the vehicle coming from the right has priority. A vehicle turning left across oncoming traffic must wait for that traffic. When entering a roundabout, yield to traffic already circulating unless signs say otherwise. A vehicle leaving a driveway, car park or field must yield to all road traffic and pedestrians.
Worked example
You are on a priority road and a car emerges from a side street on your right. Because your road is marked as priority (yellow diamond), the right-hand rule does not apply and the emerging car must wait. If the diamond were absent, the right-hand rule would give that car priority.
Traps to watch
Questions often place a green light together with a pedestrian already crossing, testing whether you know that green never overrides the duty to yield to vulnerable road users.