Signal ahead

What it means

This sign warns that a traffic signal controls the road ahead, placed where the signal itself is not yet visible or where high approach speeds make it easy to arrive at a red light unprepared. Its purpose is speed management: a driver who knows a signal is coming can arrive at a speed from which stopping is comfortable, while a driver surprised by one must brake hard, which puts the following vehicle into the decision too. It is common on high-speed approaches to suburban junctions and at the end of long rural straights.

How it gets misread

The main misread is treating the sign as a reason to race the light rather than prepare for it. Another is assuming the signal is always running; some approaches use signals only part-time, but you must be ready as if they are live.

What to do

Ease off the accelerator and aim to reach the signal at a speed from which a full stop needs no drama. Watch the signal through your approach: green means proceed with the caution you already built in, yellow means stop if you can do so safely, and red means stop behind the line. Cover the brake as you near the junction, because the queue ahead may already be stopped.

More warning signs

• Stop sign ahead →
• Yield sign ahead →

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