traffic lights
Using a combination of coloured lights in red green and amber, the traffic light is used to indicate the correct moment to stop or drive.
The first traffic lights were erected outside the British houses of parliament in 1868, with a red and a green gas light controlled with a lever operated by a policeman. The Americans invented the first electric traffic light in 1912 and the first automatic lights in Britain were installed in Princes Square in Wolverhampton
Nowadays traffic lights are usually operated on a timer, using sensors to ensure the green light is not left on for an empty road while queues build up on other roads at a junction. So that the signals can be distinguished even by those who are colour blind, the colours contain elements of other colours, and the lights change in a particular sequence:
Red light - traffic must stop behind the white line or “stop line”.
Red and amber –lights are about to turn green.
Green – continue ahead if it is safe to do so.
Amber – traffic should stop behind the stop line unless it is unsafe to do so. It is legal to drive through an amber light but this colour is a warning the lights are about to turn red.
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.
Flashing Amber
If you have a flashing amber light you may go if no pedestrians have already stepped onto the crossing. However, this does not mean that you would be expected to go if pedestrians had walked out whilst your light was green!
Green arrows or filter lights – This indicates a filter lane only. Do not enter that lane unless you want to go in the direction of the arrow. You may proceed in the direction of the green arrow when it, or the full green light shows.
If the traffic lights are not working treat the situation like an unmarked junction and proceed with care. Broken traffic lights can be reported to the local council – Worcester council is on 0845 6072005.
Box Junctions
These are painted with criss-crossed yellow lines. They may be found at any kind of junction but most commonly at traffic lights. Traffic must not enter the box unless the exit road or lane is clear. However, traffic may enter the box in order to turn right, as long as the way is blocked only by oncoming vehicles.
Advanced Stop Lines
Some signal-controlled lights have advanced stop lines to allow cycles to stop safely ahead of other traffic at the lights. Motorists and motorcyclists must stop at the first white line. If traffic has already crossed the first white line it must stop at the second line, but allow plenty of space for any cyclists also using the junction.
What happens if you drive through a traffic light?
Regardless of whether the matter is dealt with by Fixed Penalty or at Court, the punishment is 3 penalty points and a fine. Currently, the fine on a Fixed Penalty is £60. If you reach 12 penalty points within any 3 year period, the court guidelines are to impose a disqualification of at least 6 months.
References
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light
http://www.motorlawyers.co.uk
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The Coopers Driving School Team
