At a junction in Leeuwarden you are in a lane for straight ahead and left. In the traffic light a green arrow to the left is lit; the light for straight ahead is red. The cycle light next to you is green. You want to go straight ahead. What do you do?
- ✓ You wait; the green arrow applies only to traffic turning left
- You drive on; the green in your traffic light applies to every direction
- You drive on; the green cycle light next to you also applies to cars
Correct answer: You wait; the green arrow applies only to traffic turning left
Explanation
False — you follow a light that is not for you. A light with a bicycle image applies to cyclists, moped riders on the cycle path and disabled vehicles, not to cars. You follow your own light, and for straight ahead that is red.
Why learners get this wrong
- Wrong: you see the arrow as decoration. If an arrow is lit in the traffic light, that light applies only to the direction of the arrow. For straight ahead the red light applies, so you wait.
- Wrong: you follow a light that is not for you. A light with a bicycle image applies to cyclists, moped riders on the cycle path and disabled vehicles, not to cars. You follow your own light, and for straight ahead that is red.
Topic: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits
Read the rule: Core: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits
Sections
- Challenge: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits
- The model: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits
- Core: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits
- Why it matters: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits
- Active recall: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits
- Teach back: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits
- Memory hook: The three-colour traffic light: green, yellow, red — and its limits