South Africans call them robots, and you will meet them at almost every busy intersection. The learner’s test covers every signal, including the arrows and flashing lights that confuse many drivers.
Steady lights
| Signal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Red | Stop behind the stop line and wait. |
| Amber | Stop, unless you are so close to the stop line when it changes that you cannot stop safely. |
| Green | Go if it is safe, giving way to pedestrians and to vehicles still in the intersection. |
Arrows
| Signal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Flashing green arrow | You have right of way in the direction of the arrow, even while the main light is red. |
| Steady green arrow | You may go in that direction, giving way to pedestrians and traffic lawfully in the intersection. |
| Steady amber arrow | Stop and wait for the flashing green arrow. |
| Steady red arrow | Stop, as for a red light, and wait for a green signal. |
| Flashing red arrow | Stop first, then you may turn in the direction of the arrow when it is safe, giving way to pedestrians and other traffic. |
Flashing lights
- Flashing red: treat it like a stop sign. Stop, then go when it is safe and it is your turn.
- Flashing amber: drive on carefully and give way to pedestrians. At an intersection, give way to traffic that stopped first.
- Flashing red at a railway crossing: a train is coming. Do not cross until the lights stop flashing.
When the robots are out of order
Treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Every vehicle stops, and the first vehicle to stop is the first to go. If a traffic officer is directing traffic, follow the officer instead.
If the light changes while you are in the intersection
If you have already entered the intersection, for example while waiting to turn right, complete your turn and clear the intersection. Do not enter in the first place if the road you are heading into is blocked.
Overhead lane signals
Some multi-lane roads have signals above each lane. A green arrow pointing down means you may drive in that lane. A red cross means you may not, because the lane may be open to traffic coming the other way. A yellow arrow means the lane closes ahead, so move out of it in the direction of the arrow.
Test yourself
These questions come from the K53TestsOnline question bank. Choose an answer to see if you are right.
What should you do when you approach an intersection and the traffic light changes to a steady amber (orange) colour?
Practise more road signs questionsWhen approaching an intersection with traffic signals (robots) that are out of order, you should...
Practise more rules of the road questions
When the robot is red and the green arrow flashes to the right as indicated in the picture below it shows you that:
(i) Only pedestrians may walk.
(ii) If you want to turn right you may go.
(iii) All traffic must turn right.