Adhering to the USA traffic light rules is vital to ensure every road user stays safe on the roads. When not followed, this not only results in personal injury but also poses harm to others. On January 25, 2025, in California, a 55-year-old driver ignored and ran a red light. As a result, the death of a 6-year-old girl and several injuries occurred to other individuals involved. 

Therefore, JACKWIN highly emphasizes that every road user understand traffic light rules and regulations in the U.S. so they can be followed. Therefore, we’ve prepared this handy guide explaining everything about traffic light rules that you might need to know.

What are the Rules of Traffic Lights?

Traffic signal light rules regulate traffic flow in order and ensure the safety of pedestrians at intersections. The general rules of traffic lights include stop (on red light), proceed (on green light), and slow down/ caution (on yellow light). Additionally, there are several other rules for arrows, turns, and pedestrian lights that we will cover in the next sections. 

Understanding Traffic Light Rules and Colors

Traffic lights are one of the road safety control systems among several others. By guiding drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and every other road user, these lights tell them how to act in a certain way. That helps minimize congestion, keep the road safe, and reduce confusion and the risk of accidents. 

Now let’s discuss, in the U.S., how these traffic lights work and what the rules are:

Basic Rules of Traffic Signal: Traffic Light Color and Meaning

In the U.S., there are three types of traffic lights: the meaning of colors, rules, and required actions. Types include: Red, yellow, and green signal lights.

Drivers should stop at a red light and wait until the light turns green. When green, proceed further, but yield for other vehicles or if there are pedestrians at crosswalks. When see a yellow light, slow down the vehicle and prepare to stop as the light is about to turn red.

Alert: Neglecting and proceeding on a yellow light traffic rule or a red light is against driving regulations and also dangerous.

Traffic Light Rules and Regulations

Red Light Rules

Red Traffic Light Means

A red light means “STOP”. Whenever you approach a red signal light, you must stop driving. And keep stopping and waiting until the light turns green, and then proceed ahead. Also, only proceed when the crosswalk or intersection is clear.

If there’s no red light, you should still always slow down before approaching a crosswalk or intersection. Then, stop and look around for pedestrians, let them pass, and then proceed. As most pedestrians and people with disabilities rely on a red traffic light to cross the path.

Flashing Red Light Means

A flashing red light also means “STOP driving”. Stop completely at the intersection, then look both ways and proceed only when no one is passing, it’s safe and the path is clear. While passing, adhere to the “Right-of-Way” rule and red light traffic rules. 

As per this rule, you must yield to other vehicles or pedestrians who have the right of way. Means, whoever comes first will pass first.

Red Arrow Means

A red arrow means STOP and do not turn in the arrow direction, until you see a green signal light or green arrow. For instance, a red right arrow means you cannot turn right. But once the red arrow turns green, you can make the turn.

Right Turns on Red

In the U.S., all 50 states except New York City permit turning right at a red traffic light right after making a full stop. However, turning right is strictly prohibited unless:

• There is a “No Turn on Red” sign placed.
• There are specific intersection restrictions. Such as school zones or high pedestrian areas.
• You must yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

“No Turn on Red” Signs

If there’s a “No Turn on Red” traffic sign board posted at an intersection or areas with high pedestrian activity, you are not allowed to turn right. 

Instead, you’re obliged to wait for the green light (even if the road seems clear) and then proceed. Failing to obey the rules of the road lights is clearly a traffic violation. Plus, there are tickets from red-light cameras and heavy punishments.

State-Specific Variations for Right-Turn Traffic Light Rules

As mentioned above, where all 50 states permit turning to the right at a red light, New York City does not allow doing so. New York follows its local traffic light regulations. 

According to their rules, taking the right turns on red is prohibited unless a posted sign specifically permits it. California also allows right turns on red, but it is important for you to first stop completely and then take the right turn.

Yellow Traffic Light Rules

Yellow Light Means

A solid yellow traffic light means: the light is about to turn red, and you should prepare to stop. This light basically appears right after the green light (based on the traffic conditions).

When you see a Yellow light far enough from the intersection, you should safely stop. But if you see a light very close to the intersection, and you cannot safely stop, proceed further, but with caution. Also, avoid speeding up, slow down, and look for passing by vehicles, then proceed.

Flashing Yellow Light Means

A flashing yellow light means “Proceed with caution.” Means, you can proceed ahead but slowly and be cautious for cross traffic or pedestrians. Also, yield (if necessary) at intersections.

Yellow Arrow Means

Traffic rules yellow light with either (left or right) means “The turn signal is ending, so prepare to stop.” It also informs that the yellow light is about to turn red, and you will need to stop. 

So, when you see a yellow arrow, if you’re already in the intersection, complete your turn quickly and safely. But if you’re approaching the intersection, do not enter unless you cannot stop safely.

Flashing Yellow Arrow Means

On the other hand, a flashing yellow arrow means “you can turn left/ right after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.” Remember that, in such cases, most turns are not protected, so drivers must wait for a safe and clear gap and let oncoming vehicles and pedestrians pass first.

Green Light Rules

Green Traffic Light Means

A green signal light means “GO” through the intersection. Before you proceed or make turns, make sure that the intersection is clear. Also, you can make a Left or Right turn only if there’s enough space to complete the turn before the signal light switches to red.

Otherwise, you should not make a turn. Especially if the No Turn signage board is posted. Apart from that, you should always yield to oncoming traffic or if the pedestrians are still in the crosswalk, even if the signal is green.

Green Arrow Means

A green arrow means you can make a turn in the direction the arrow is pointing. In simple words, you can proceed ahead without even yielding to other traffic or pedestrians because this signal is enabled only when the oncoming traffic is paused at a red light.

Yield to Drivers and Pedestrians in a Crosswalk with the Right-of-Way

A green signal light does not mean you proceed without looking for others. Even with a green arrow, yielding is a key responsibility. Pedestrians crossing in your path or another vehicle crossing or present at the intersection have the right-of-way and priority. A little patience from drivers is all that is needed to adhere to the rules and avoid collisions.

Flashing Crosswalk Light Rules

Flashing crosswalk lights, mainly known as Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFBs/  flashing pedestrian beacons). As mandated by DOT, the RRFBs are rectangular-shaped and consist of two high-frequency lights. These lights emit a flash when activated to alert drivers about pedestrian crossing activity.

When pedestrians are ready or about to cross the road, they push the beacon button, and drivers will see a bright Yellow blinking light. As soon as you see the RRFB sequential lights, as per the DOT and MUTCD, you are required to slow down and stop immediately at the spot.

Stop and yield to the pedestrian, and keep staying stopped until all pedestrians have completely crossed your/lane(s) and then proceed. Failing to adhere to Pedestrian crossing light rules can result in fines, license points, or worse, accidents.

Traffic Signal Blackout: How to Treat a Stop?

According to the N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law Section 1111, when a traffic signal is not functioning (due to power blackout or malfunction), drivers should consider the lights blackout as a “STOP sign” and a four-way stop, unless a traffic officer or a signage board directs or permits otherwise. 

This means the driver should come to a complete stop at the intersection, look around, and yield to passing by pedestrians and oncoming traffic who arrived before you. Afterward, once the intersection is clear, proceed with caution. Not following the stoplight rules is dangerous.

4-Way Traffic Light Rules

A 4-way traffic light is a system that controls an intersection where four roads meet. Each direction has typically its own traffic signals equipment mounted that is basically managing the flow of vehicles and pedestrians. The rules are:

• Obeying standard traffic light signals (stopping at Red means stop, proceeding on green, proceed with caution at yellow).
• Pedestrians: At crosswalks, pedestrians have priority, and drivers should yield to them.
• Right-of-Way:

                                       1. First to Arrive: The vehicle that arrives first at the intersection owns the right-of-way.

                                       2. Simultaneous Arrival: If two vehicles arrive simultaneously. Then, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.

                                       3. Straight vs. Turning: Vehicles going straight have the main right-of-way over vehicles turning left.

                                      4. Left Turns: Vehicles turning left should yield to the oncoming traffic straightly.

Red Light Camera Rules

Before discussing rules, let’s first know how these smart red light cameras operate so you can avoid getting a ticket from these cameras.

How Do Red Light Cameras Work?

A red light camera is basically a smart traffic control and rule enforcement device. You’ll typically see this installed at complex intersections, mounted below the traffic signals. The sensors within this camera detect and take photographs of the vehicle neglecting the rules and going against the stop line at a red light. Later, these pictures can be used by traffic authorities to hold you accountable.

So, when you see a red light, you must stop immediately and wait until a green light. You should also not proceed and take a right turn on red if a ‘no turn on red’ signage is posted. Failing to follow traffic laws may result in a serious hazard and also heavy fines and punishments.

Conclusion

In the U.S., authorities take traffic signal violations very seriously. And not adhering to traffic light rules not just leads you to hefty fines, license points, insurance hikes, but also criminal charges (if someone is injured). That’s why it’s very crucial for every road user to learn about traffic lights, their meaning, and even about new updates in regulations. So, rules can be followed in road conditions to ensure safe roads for everyone.

FAQs

1. What is the principle of traffic lights?

Traffic lights operate on a dynamic control system that adapts to current traffic conditions on roads and then switches between lights to let traffic flow better. A few modern and advanced systems also include sensors and timers to optimize traffic movement.

1. What to do if the red light is out?

If a traffic signal is completely out and dark, you should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Means, before approaching an intersection, come to a complete stop, let other vehicles and pedestrians pass by (if any), then proceed when it’s safe, following right-of-way rules. 

1. What does a black traffic light mean?

A black traffic light typically refers to a non-functioning or powered-off light due to a power outage. In such cases, as mentioned above, drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. 

1. Does yellow mean stop?

Absolutely not! A yellow light means the light is soon to turn red, so be ready to stop. When you see this, especially from far, safely stop before the intersection. If stopping safely isn’t possible, proceed with caution. 

1. How to read a traffic light?

It is very simple, just learn the meaning of standard sequence lights. Red means stop, green means go, and yellow signals mean safely stop as the light is about to turn red. However, keep in mind that the meaning of traffic lights may vary between states.