Like I always say, driving comes with lots of expectations. For one to be able to drive, one must learn the art of driving.
No one is born with the knowledge to drive. If you must learn the art of driving, then you must follow what you’ve learned to ensure the safety of all road users.
The red light is stationed on the road to minimize accidents and ensure the safety of road users. Therefore, when you approach a flashing red light, you must:
- Slow down and prepare to stop
- Check your surroundings
- Stop at the correct position
- Be focused
- Do not block intersections
- Observe traffic signs and signals
- When the light turns green, proceed with caution
What Does a Flashing Red Light Mean?
A flashing red light means that drivers must come to a complete stop at the intersection. It is used in situations where increased caution is required, such as at intersections with low visibility, during off-peak hours when a full traffic signal is not necessary, or in areas under construction or with temporary changes in traffic flow.
What Should You Do When You Approach a Flashing Red Light?
Here are what to do when you approach a flashing red light:
1. Slow Down and Prepare to Stop
When you’re driving on the road and see a flashing red light ahead, start slowing down well in advance. Begin by easing off the accelerator pedal to reduce speed gradually to avoid sudden braking, which can be dangerous, especially if there are vehicles behind you.
Gradual deceleration gives you more control over the vehicle and allows those behind you to react accordingly.
So, once you see a flashing red light ahead of you, start slowing down your car’s speed immediately. This is the first thing you must do.
2. Check Your Surroundings
The second thing you must do when you approach a flashing red light is to check your surroundings.
As you slow down, be vigilant about your surroundings. Look in your rearview and side mirrors to be aware of other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The essence of doing this is to ensure that you are not caught off guard by any sudden movements from other road users.
Pay attention to any pedestrians about to cross the street or cyclists who may be approaching from behind or alongside your vehicle. This is very important
3. Stop at the Correct Position
This might not seem important but in actual truth, it’s important. When you reach the intersection, stop completely behind the stop line or crosswalk.
The stop line is a white line painted on the road that indicates where vehicles must stop at an intersection.
Stopping behind this line ensures that you are not obstructing pedestrian paths or intruding into the intersection.
If there is no marked stop line, stop your vehicle before the edge of the intersection where you can still clearly see the traffic lights and other vehicles.
4. Don’t Lose Focus
Now that you’ve stopped and did not accidentally run the red light, don’t lose your focus.
While waiting for the light to turn green, remain attentive. Keep your foot on the brake and your hands on the steering wheel, ready to react if needed.
Watch the traffic signals and be aware of any changes. For example, some intersections may have separate signals for turning lanes or pedestrian crossings.
Being focused ensures that you do not miss any signals that might affect your next move.
5. Do Not Block Intersections
While stopping when you approach a flashing red light, ensure that you are not stopping your vehicle in the middle of an intersection. This is not good at all.
In heavy traffic, only proceed into the intersection if you are sure you can clear it completely before the light changes.
Don’t try to block an intersection because it can cause traffic jams and may result in a ticket being issued to via mail or at the spot. Try and be more considerate of other road users and ensure that the intersection remains clear.
- If an emergency vehicle approaches, remain stopped and allow it to pass through the intersection before proceeding.
- In conditions such as heavy rain, fog, or nighttime driving, make extra efforts to ensure the intersection is clear before proceeding.
- If all directions at an intersection have flashing red lights, treat it as a four-way stop. Follow the standard right-of-way rules for four-way stops.
6. Observe Traffic Signs and Signals
Besides the traffic light, there may be additional signs or signals that you need to obey.
For example, some intersections have “No Turn on Red” signs, which means you cannot turn right (or left, depending on the country) while the light is red.
Similarly, pedestrian signals might indicate when it is safe for pedestrians to cross. Respect these signs to ensure the safety of all road users.
7. Proceed with Caution on Green
Once the light turns green, do not immediately accelerate. This is very important.
- First, check the intersection to ensure it is clear of any lingering vehicles or pedestrians
- Look left and right to confirm that no one is running a red light.
- Proceed through the intersection smoothly and cautiously, being prepared to stop if an unexpected situation arises.
As someone who has been driving for a long time now, I’ve seen people who consciously speed off their vehicle immediately when the light turns green without checking if another vehicle is speeding to beat the red light.
This kind of action can cause a crash that may leave those involved dead. So, please, avoid speeding off anytime the light turns green except you see that no car is coming.
What You Should Not Do When You Approach Red Light
Here are the things you must not do when you approach a Flashing red light:
Do Not Speed Up
When you’re approaching the red light, don’t be tempted to speed up to beat the red light because rushing to beat a red light by accelerating can lead to dangerous situations.
You may not have enough time to clear the intersection, thereby increasing the risk of collisions with vehicles or pedestrians entering from other directions.
Moreover, speeding up at an intersection also reduces your ability to react to sudden changes, such as a pedestrian stepping off the curb or another car making an unexpected turn. So, please avoid this. I know it can be tempting to do so, but please avoid it.
Do Not Stop Suddenly
When approaching a flashing red light, do not stop suddenly because sharp braking can cause accidents, especially if the vehicle behind you is not prepared for a sudden stop. It can result in rear-end collisions, which are common in high-traffic areas.
Instead of stopping suddenly and causing an accident, start decelerating gradually as soon as you see the red light or notice traffic slowing down.
To be honest, if you’ve never been re-ended before, you will not understand the importance of not stopping suddenly. Don’t experience it before you learn, rather, learn from those that have experienced it.
Do Not Block Crosswalks or Intersections
When you approach a red light and want to stop, do not block a crosswalk because stopping in a crosswalk obstructs the path for pedestrians, forcing them to navigate around your vehicle, which can be dangerous.
Moreover, blocking the intersection can prevent other vehicles from moving when their light turns green, causing traffic congestion and accidents.
Therefore, always stop before the crosswalk or stop line, and ensure you can fully clear the intersection before proceeding.
Do Not Ignore Traffic Signs and Signals
Another thing you should avoid doing when approaching a red light is ignoring traffic signs and signals.
This is because, traffic signs and signals are designed to manage the flow of vehicles and ensure safety at intersections, ignoring them can cause accidents.
For example, ignoring signs like “No Turn on Red” or pedestrian crossing signals can lead to accidents or legal penalties. Always observe and follow the instructions provided by traffic signs and signals.
Do Not Distract Yourself
Being distracted by activities such as using your phone, adjusting the radio, or conversing with passengers can reduce your reaction time and awareness of your surroundings.
When approaching a flashing red light, stay focused on the road and the traffic signals to ensure you can respond appropriately to any changes.
Do Not Roll Through the Red Light
Rolling through a red light, even at a slow speed, is illegal and dangerous. It can lead to collisions with vehicles or pedestrians who have the right of way. Always come to a complete stop and wait for the light to turn green before proceeding.
Do Not Ignore Pedestrians and Cyclists
Yes, please. Do not ignore pedestrians and cyclists because they may be crossing the road at intersections. Ignoring their presence can result in serious accidents.
Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and be mindful of cyclists who may be sharing the road or crossing the intersection.
Do Not Make Illegal Turns
Some intersections prohibit turns on red lights, indicated by signs such as “No Turn on Red.” Therefore, do not go against the traffic law by making an illegal turn because it can result in accidents and fines. Always check for and obey these signs before attempting a turn.
Do Not Follow Too Closely
Tailgating the vehicle in front of you can be dangerous if they need to stop suddenly. So, do not follow the car too closely, rather, maintain a safe following distance to give yourself ample time to stop without causing a rear-end collision.
Do Not Assume Other Drivers Will Follow the Rules
This is the first thing I learned when I was learning how to drive. Never assume that other drivers will follow the rules. Just mind your driving. This is because not all drivers adhere to traffic laws consistently. Some may run red lights or fail to yield.
Therefore, always approach intersections with caution, even when you have the right of way, and be prepared for unexpected actions from other drivers.
Which Color Follows the Green Signal at a Puffin Crossing?
At a Puffin (Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent) crossing, the signal sequence for vehicles is designed to enhance pedestrian safety. The sequence is as follows:
- Green (Go)
- Steady Amber (Prepare to stop)
- Red (Stop)
- Red and Amber (Prepare to go)
- Green (Go)
Therefore, the color that follows the green signal at a Puffin crossing is steady amber.
Conclusion
When you approach a flashing red light, you must slow down and prepare to stop, check your surroundings, stop at the correct position, be focused, do not block intersections, observe traffic signs and signals, and when the light turns green, proceed with caution.
Avoid speeding up when approaching a flashing red light. Also, you must not stop suddenly, must not block crosswalks or intersections, must not ignore traffic signs and signals, etc.
