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Traffic lights

Traffic lights control the flow of traffic and pedestrians to improve safety and access to roads. You should drive at a speed that gives you time to react if the traffic lights change.

If you disobey a red or yellow traffic light, you may receive an infringement notice from a police officer. If you disobey a red traffic light, you may be sent a Camera Detected Offence notice in the mail.

Obeying traffic lights

Stop

Traffic lights displaying red light You must not drive past the STOP line at the red traffic light or, if there is no STOP line, the traffic light.
Traffic lights displaying red arrows You must not drive in the direction of the red traffic arrow past the STOP line at the traffic light or, if there is no STOP line, the traffic light.

Stop if it is safe to do so

Traffic signal displaying yellow light You must not drive past the STOP line at the yellow traffic light or, if there is no STOP line, the traffic light.

The yellow light is not the end of the green light phase it is the beginning of the red light phase. You must STOP on a yellow light, unless it is unsafe to do so.
Traffic signal displaying yellow arrow If it is unsafe to stop, for example if you are very close to the light when it changes from green to yellow, you may proceed through the yellow light.

Drive with caution

Traffic signal displaying green light Drive past the light

Drive past the green traffic light or arrow, as long as the intersection is clear.
Traffic signal displaying green light and white B Traffic lights showing a white B light

If you are driving a bus, taxi, limousine, emergency vehicle or a bicycle, you may drive pas the white B light.
Traffic signal displaying green light Turning right at traffic lights

If the light is green and there are vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, you should move forward into the intersection past the STOP line if you can do so safely. If there is a safe gap in oncoming traffic, you may complete the turn. If you are in the intersection and the oncoming traffic continues until the lights turn yellow or red, you must complete the turn on the yellow or red light.
If you face a flashing yellow traffic light or arrow, you may drive past it. Apply give way rules and caution to avoid a collision with other vehicles and pedestrians.

Visit our Here for Life website to view an animated video on Yellow traffic lights.

Part 6 of the Queensland Road Rules applies.

Last updated: 14 March 2012