Traffic lights tell you when to go or stop at an intersection. In the traffic light image below, the three colours — red, orange and green — are “on”. Follow the links in the traffic light image to learn what the colours of traffic lights mean.

red light orange light green light

A red light means stop. In some countries, you can make a left turn after you stop and yield to pedestrians and vehicles in your path.

An orange or yellow light means that a red signal is about to appear. You should stop if you can do so safely. If you can't stop, look out for vehicles that may enter the intersection.

A green light means go, but before you move ahead, you must let any vehicles or pedestrians remaining in the intersection get through.