In high traffic areas electronically controlled intersections significantly decrease traffic congestion, while improving efficiency, and safety.  Traffic signals enhance traffic safety and improve efficiency.

Traffic signals are maintained by local and state (territory) government.  Standards vary, however, distances, clarity (no obstruction),  lighting, and transmission are essential to their effectiveness.

Traffic signals help manage competing flows of traffic with a universal color code standard. They are primarily installed at intersections, crosswalks, and train crossings, to control and safeguard the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Traffic signals are oriented vertically or horizontally. Red is universally situated on top (or to the left for horizontal signs) and green is universally situated on the bottom (or to the right for horizontal signs).

There are four general categories:

1. Regulatory signs
2. Warning signs
3. Guide signs
4. Information signs

	Steady Green light A green light means you may enter the intersection, turn left or turn right if safe. When turning, you must yield to opposing vehicles and pedestrians within the intersection.
	Steady Yellow Light A yellow light means caution, slow down, a red light (stop) is imminent. Approaching a yellow light you should slow down and prepare to stop; otherwise proceed with caution if by legal speed within the yellow.
	Steady Red Light A red light means you must stop at the marked stop line, crosswalk, or natural intersection. You may turn right while the light is red, after making a complete stop at the intersection and yielding to vehicles and pedestrians within the intersection.  (varies by state/country). You must first stop and yield to pedestrians and other traffic.

PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS

Pedestrians must obey traffic directional signals directing them.   WALK and DON’T WALK signals vary by symbol or specific language characters.  Universally green (symbols or characters) means walk and red (symbols or characters) means do not walk.  If there are no pedestrian signals at the intersection, pedestrians must follow traffic signals with care to recognize vehicles.

SCHOOL ZONE SIGNALS

School zone signals are flashing yellow signals placed on the school zone speed limit signs. You must travel no faster than 15 mph when the yellow signals are flashing. (School zone speed limits vary by state/country, or as posted)