Traffic lights with a green arrow
How to interpret a green arrow correctly at traffic lights and avoid the wrong direction or wrong expectations.
A traffic light with a green arrow does not only give you permission to go, but also information about which direction is allowed or prioritised. That is why you need to read the light, the lane and the other road users around you.
What you need to know
- The green arrow applies to the direction shown by the arrow.
- You still need to watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other conflicts around the intersection.
- Direction-specific signals help you, but they do not remove your duty of care.
Typical situations
| Situation | What you should do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated left-turn signal | Drive only when the arrow applies to your lane and the road is clear. | Thinking another vehicle gets the same signal as you. |
| Green arrow with several lanes | Confirm that your lane is actually connected to that signal. | Following the car beside you without reading your own lane. |
| Pedestrians near the turn | Be ready for people still completing their crossing. | Trusting the signal blindly and forgetting the surroundings. |
Common mistakes
- Interpreting the arrow as a general green light for the whole intersection.
- Forgetting that the arrow can be time-limited and lane-specific.
- Driving on routine without noticing the road markings on the ground.
How to practice
Link this with The traffic system - lights , Signals vs directions in traffic and Lane selection with directional arrows .