Traffic lights

Different types of traffic lights

  • crossroad junction – see crossroads/priorities
  • T-junction
  • combination lights
  • with yellow box junctions
  • with filter lane and green arrow

Highway code / rules

Highway Code (rule 175) – You MUST stop behind the white ‘Stop’ line across your side of the road unless the light is green. If the amber light appears you may go on only if you have already crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to stop might cause a collision

Highway Code (rule 126) – states that at 30 mph it takes 6 car lengths to stop the car.  You need more time /distance to come to a stop in the rain.

There are no circumstances for passing the stop line when the lights are red. The offence is committed if “any part” of the vehicle crosses the stop line when the red light is showing.

Amber lights and the ‘Point of no return’

When approaching traffic/pedestrian lights at 30 mph in good weather conditions, when you get to 6 cars back you have passed the ‘Point of no return’.  After this, in order to stop, you would have to brake sharply, and the car behind could go into the back of your cars.

As you approach traffic/pedestrian lights, check your rear view mirror, come off the gas and cover the brake (or come off the gas and be mentally ready to go on the brake should they change to amber) until you have gone passed the ‘Point of no return’.

Ask yourself:  Is it possible to stop? Is it safe to stop?

The ‘Point of no return’ will vary depending on:

  • Your speed – Faster speed = longer stopping distance
  • The road conditions – Wet/slippery road = longer stopping distance
  • The vehicle behind you – Is it following too closely? Is it a large truck behind you?

Check your mirror and your speed well before the lights, so you can make the correct decision.

Don’t be an amber gambler!

Yellow box junctions

Highway Code (rule 174) – has the words MUST NOT and is therefore a legal requirement.

Box junctions. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road (see ‘Road markings’). You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.

Bike Boxes

£60 fines and CCTV crackdown on drivers who stop in bike boxes at traffic lights –  www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/60-fines-and-cctv-crackdown-on-drivers-who-stop-in-bike-boxes-at-traffic-lights-8635559.html

Youtube videos

Fines/penalties

If you are pulled over by a police officer (or flashed on camera), you will be sent an NIP within 14 days and asked to declare who was driving, and issued with a fixed penalty notice of £60 and 3 penalty points on your licence (visit www.gov.uk – TS10).

If you’ve been seen by two police officers, you could be summonsed to court and hammered with anything up to the maximum £1000 fine (based on your income) together with either 3 penalty points or a discretionary disqualification from driving, depending on circumstances and your previous character.