Traffic Signals and Control
Lights and their meaning
Steady red means stop before the stop line; amber alone means stop unless stopping would be unsafe; green permits movement but never obliges you to enter a junction you cannot clear. A flashing amber means proceed with caution, typically at malfunctioning or part-time signals. Flashing red at level crossings means stop absolutely. Green and amber arrows apply only to the direction shown. Pedestrian signals govern the crossing, and a green pedestrian figure does not remove the driver's duty to check before turning across it.
Police control overrides lights
An officer's signals take precedence over lights and signs. Arm raised vertically means stop for all; arm extended horizontally toward you means stop; beckoning means proceed. If an officer's instruction contradicts a green light, follow the officer.
Special signals
Blue flashing lights and sirens on emergency vehicles require you to clear the way, pulling over or stopping without endangering others; do not follow closely behind them. Trams and buses pulling out of stops have specific priority in built-up areas. Level crossings use barriers, lights and sound; never enter while red lights flash or the barrier is moving.
Traps
Candidates confuse amber with green, or assume a green light guarantees a clear junction. Another trap is a lane signal (red cross or green arrow above a lane) that overrides the ordinary signal for that lane. Also beware questions about the end of a green phase: you must not enter if you would be stranded in the junction when the phase changes.
Rule of thumb
When signals conflict, obey the higher authority: officer over lights, lights over signs. When in doubt at amber, the safe answer is to stop if you can do so without harsh braking.