Traffic signals ahead sign
What the Traffic signals ahead sign means: Traffic lights are ahead, often where you cannot see them from far away, so be ready to stop.
- Group
- Warning signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Not enforceable on its own. It changes nothing about right of way.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Slow down and be ready to stop, particularly if you cannot yet see the lights.
- Look at the signal as soon as it comes into view and judge whether you can stop safely if it changes.
- If the light has been green for a while as you approach, expect it to change.
- Never speed up to beat a yellow, since you must stop for a yellow unless it is unsafe to do so.
Where you see it
On high speed approaches to signalised intersections, over crests and around bends where the lights are hidden, and where lights have recently been installed on a road that never had them.
Across the states and territories
The warning sign is national. Some jurisdictions add flashing yellow lights above it on high speed approaches, and Melbourne adds signal arrangements for trams and hook turns that no other city uses, so the intersection beyond the sign can be more complex there.
Tell it apart from these
- Traffic signals aheadthis pageCrossroads ahead
One warns you the intersection is controlled by lights, the other that it is probably not controlled at all.
Crossroads ahead: A road crosses yours just ahead, so watch for traffic entering from both the left and the right.
- Traffic signals aheadthis pagePrepare to stop
The orange work zone version means a controller or a temporary light is holding traffic. This one refers to permanent signals.
Prepare to stop: Traffic ahead is being held, so slow down now and expect to stop for a controller or a light.
How the knowledge tests use it
The yellow light rule is the question that follows this sign, and the answer is that yellow means stop if you safely can.
What does this sign mean?
This warning is used where drivers might not see the signals in time, such as over a crest, around a bend or after a long stretch of open road.
State and territory driver handbooks, warning signs
Common questions
- What does the Traffic signals ahead sign mean?
- Traffic lights are ahead, often where you cannot see them from far away, so be ready to stop.
- What should you do when you see a Traffic signals ahead sign?
- Slow down and be ready to stop, particularly if you cannot yet see the lights. Look at the signal as soon as it comes into view and judge whether you can stop safely if it changes. If the light has been green for a while as you approach, expect it to change. Never speed up to beat a yellow, since you must stop for a yellow unless it is unsafe to do so.
- Where is the Traffic signals ahead sign used?
- On high speed approaches to signalised intersections, over crests and around bends where the lights are hidden, and where lights have recently been installed on a road that never had them.
- What is the Traffic signals ahead sign confused with?
- Crossroads ahead: One warns you the intersection is controlled by lights, the other that it is probably not controlled at all. Prepare to stop: The orange work zone version means a controller or a temporary light is holding traffic. This one refers to permanent signals.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Traffic signals ahead sign?
- The yellow light rule is the question that follows this sign, and the answer is that yellow means stop if you safely can.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More warning signs
Yellow diamond with a black symbol.