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Difficulty: EasyTraffic Lights and Signals

In the United Kingdom, standard traffic light signals follow a specific statutory sequence to control traffic safely at junctions. Starting from the phase requiring vehicles to come to a complete stop, in what order do the four signal phases appear through a complete cycle?

  1. 1Red alone
  2. 2Red and Amber showing together
  3. 3Green alone
  4. 4Amber alone

Answer

Red alone → Red and Amber showing together → Green alone → Amber alone
According to The Highway Code, standard UK traffic lights operate in a four-stage cyclic sequence: Red alone (Stop), followed by Red and Amber together (Stop and prepare), then Green alone (Go if clear), and finally Amber alone (Stop unless unsafe to do so), before cycling back to Red alone.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the initial stopping phase
Red alone
The cycle starts at the red phase, which commands vehicles to stop completely behind the stop line.
2
Identify the preparation phase following Red
Red and Amber showing together
In the UK, the red signal is joined by the amber light to alert drivers that green is next, though passing the line is still prohibited.
3
Identify the release phase allowing traffic flow
Green alone
Green illuminates next, giving permission to go provided the junction is clear.
4
Identify the warning phase before returning to stop
Amber alone
Amber shows on its own after green to instruct drivers to stop before the line unless stopping would cause an accident, after which the cycle returns to Red alone.

Key Concept

Standard UK four-phase traffic light sequence
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Traffic Lights and Signals

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