The Amber Light and the Blocked Box
You are approaching a signalised junction in city traffic. The light turns amber as you are about 15 metres from the stop line, travelling at 40 km/h in a 50 km/h limit. The road beyond the stop line is congested: cars are queued across the junction and the far side is partly blocked. A traffic police officer is standing in the middle of the junction, facing your direction, with his right arm raised and palm towards you. A pedestrian is waiting at the crossing on your left. Your vehicle is a family car with good brakes and tyres.
1. What does the officer's signal mean, and how does it interact with the amber light?
Read the worked answer
A police officer with the right arm raised, palm facing you, means stop. The officer's directions override the traffic lights.
So even though the light is amber:
- The officer is directing you to stop, and you must obey the officer.
- You should stop before the stop line if you can do so safely.
- At 15 m and 40 km/h, you have time to stop smoothly without skidding.
Amber normally means stop unless it is unsafe to do so; here the officer's signal removes any doubt - stop. Never proceed just because the light is still amber when an officer is signalling you to halt.
2. If you stop, where should you stop, and what must you avoid doing at this junction?
Read the worked answer
Stop before the stop line, not in the junction and not on the pedestrian crossing.
Avoid:
- Blocking the junction: never enter a junction if the exit is blocked, even on a green or amber light. Stopping across the junction obstructs cross traffic and pedestrians.
- Stopping on the crossing: keep the pedestrian crossing clear so people can cross.
- Creeping forward into the box while waiting.
Wait behind the line until the officer signals you to proceed and there is space on the far side to clear the junction completely. If the exit is blocked, stay behind the line even if the light turns green.
3. The pedestrian is waiting to cross. What is your responsibility once you are stopped?
Read the worked answer
Once stopped, you must keep the pedestrian crossing clear. Do not stop on it, and do not edge forward over it while waiting.
If the officer's signal allows pedestrians to cross, you must give way and wait until they have cleared your path before moving. Watch for pedestrians who may step out unexpectedly, especially children or people distracted by phones. Your stop should be positioned so the crossing remains unobstructed and pedestrians have a clear line of sight to approaching traffic.