Traffic lights use light signals of green, yellow, red and white-lunar color

Depending on the purpose, traffic signals can be round, in the form of an arrow (arrows), a silhouette of a pedestrian or a bicycle, and X-shaped. Traffic lights with round signals can have one or two additional sections with signals in the form of a green arrow (arrows), which are located at the level of the green round signal.

Reader A: Why were these colors chosen for traffic regulation and why red was made prohibitive, yellow - warning, and green - permissive?

This is due to the fact that rays of red light propagate best in the atmosphere in rainy and foggy weather, as well as at night, they are visible at a considerable distance. But this is very important for a prohibitory signal. The yellow signal is seen worse than the red, but better than the green It is clearly visible and is most suitable for a warning signal Well, and the permitting signal of the traffic light was made green so that it could be easily distinguished from the prohibitory and warning signals.

Readers A and B: Most of the traffic lights we know, but here are some we hear about for the first time.

Round traffic signals have the following meanings:

GREEN SIGNAL permits movement;

GREEN FLASHING SIGNAL permits movement and informs that its duration expires and the prohibiting signal will be switched on soon (digital displays can be used to inform drivers about the time in seconds remaining until the end of the green signal);

YELLOW SIGNAL prohibits movement, except for the cases provided for in clause 6.14 of the Rules, and warns of the upcoming change of signals;

YELLOW FLASHING SIGNAL permits movement and informs about the presence of an unregulated intersection or pedestrian crossing, warns of danger;

RED SIGNAL, including a blinking one, prohibits movement. The combination of red and yellow signals prohibits movement and informs about the forthcoming turning on of the green signal.

Reader A: The purpose of the red and green signals is known to everyone

Reader B: But the rest? How to behave in a situation when the green signal blinked?

Reader A: How long does the green light flash?

Reader B: We figured out the green flashing signal, but how to behave when the yellow one is turned on, when it warns of an impending change of signals?

Traffic light signals made in the form of arrows of red, yellow and green have the same meaning as round signals of the corresponding color, but their effect applies only to the direction (directions) indicated by the arrows. this is not prohibited by the corresponding road sign The green arrow in the additional section has the same meaning.

The first one is traffic lights, on all three main signals of which you will see arrows. These are traffic lights of directions. They regulate traffic in each lane over which they are located, making it easier for drivers to orientate (Fig. 71)

Reader A: Are their signals the same as those of a regular traffic light?

Reader B: This means that with the red and yellow signals of such a traffic light, as usual, we stand still, and when the green signal lights up, it is allowed to move only in the direction of the arrow or arrows shown on it.

Reader B: This is very convenient. The arrow in the additional section does not light up, - you stand still, it lights up, - you go.

Reader A: Of course, they should, since drivers moving from other directions follow the green signal in the main section of the traffic light, and in front of us in the main section there is a red signal.

If a black outline arrow (arrows) is marked on the main green traffic light, it informs drivers about the presence of an additional section of the traffic light and indicates other permitted directions of movement than the signal of the additional section.

If the traffic signal is made in the form of a silhouette of a pedestrian (bicycle), then its effect applies only to pedestrians (cyclists). In this case, the green signal allows, and the red one prohibits the movement of pedestrians (cyclists). complemented by a rectangular white plate measuring 200x200 mm with a black bicycle.

To inform blind pedestrians about the possibility of crossing the carriageway, traffic light signals can be supplemented with a sound signal.

To regulate the movement of vehicles along the lanes of the carriageway, in particular, those in which the direction of movement can be reversed, reversible traffic lights with a red X-shaped signal and a green signal in the form of an arrow pointing down are used. These signals respectively prohibit or enable (fig. 74 and 75) movement in the lane over which they are located

The main signals of a reverse traffic light can be supplemented with a yellow signal in the form of an arrow tilted diagonally down to the right or left, the inclusion of which informs about the impending change of the signal and the need to change to the lane indicated by the arrow (Fig. 76)

Reader A: What does "reversible" mean?

Lanes, the direction of movement along which can change to the opposite, are called reversible, and are usually distinguished on the carriageway by a double dashed marking line 1.9 A reversible traffic light is installed above such a lane It acts only on the lane above which it is located

Reader A: As far as I understood from the instructions in clause 6.7 of the Rules, such a lane can be entered only in one case, when the green arrow is turned on at the reverse traffic light (Fig. 75)

To regulate the movement of trams, as well as other route vehicles moving along the lane allocated for them, traffic lights of one-color signaling with four round signals of white-moon color, located in the form of the letter "T" can be used. or several upper ones, of which the left one allows movement to the left, the middle one - straight ahead, the right one - to the right. If only the top three signals are on, the movement is prohibited.

Reader B: Is it worth memorizing the signals of this traffic light? We're not going to drive trams and other route vehicles.

Undoubtedly worth it, especially since it is not difficult at all. The fact is that trams, with the simultaneous right to travel with trackless transport, have an advantage (clauses 13.6 and 13.11 of the Rules). We will analyze these instructions of the Rules in detail in the future. So, if such a traffic light permits the movement of a tram in a situation equal to trackless transport, then you must give way to it (Fig. 78-80), and if it forbids, then you can move first (Fig. 81)

Reader A: Yes, it turns out that we too should be guided by the signals of this traffic light.

A round white-lunar flashing signal located at a railway crossing allows vehicles to move through the crossing.When the flashing white-lunar and red signals are off, movement is allowed if there is no train (locomotive, railcar) approaching the crossing.

Reader B: That is, a white, slowly flashing, traffic light signal before a railway crossing is equal in value to the green signal of an ordinary traffic light.

The procedure for driving railway crossings is considered in section 15 of the Rules

The traffic controller signals have the following meanings.

HANDS OUT TO THE SIDE OR LOWERED:

from the left and right sides, the tram is allowed to move straight, trackless vehicles straight and to the right, pedestrians are allowed to cross the carriageway;

from the side of the chest and back, the movement of all vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited.

RIGHT HAND EXTENDED FORWARD:

from the left side, trams are allowed to move to the left, trackless vehicles in all directions;

from the side of the chest, all vehicles are allowed to move only to the right;

from the side of the right side and back, the movement of all vehicles is prohibited;

pedestrians are allowed to cross the carriageway behind the back of the traffic controller.

HAND RAISED UP:

the movement of all vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited in all directions, except for the cases provided for in paragraph 6.14 of the Rules

The traffic controller can give hand gestures and other signals understandable to drivers and pedestrians For better visibility of the signals, the traffic controller can use a baton or disc with a red signal (reflector)

Reader B: From this point, I immediately remembered that if the traffic controller raised his hand up, the movement of cars and pedestrians from any direction is prohibited (Fig. 83)

Reader A: This means that drivers must behave as if the yellow traffic light is on.

Reader A: Therefore, in this case, if it is not possible to stop without emergency braking, you can continue driving

Reader B: But the actions of the drivers with the rest of the signals from the traffic controller, in my opinion, is difficult to remember

Reader A: I have noticed that the same traffic signals have different meanings for tram and roadless vehicle drivers. But traffic light signals are perceived by all drivers in the same way.

Reader B: I noticed that out of the four sides of the intersection, in these cases, the traffic controller on both sides completely prohibits the movement of any transport (similar to a red traffic light). Traffic is allowed on the other two sides of the intersection

Reader A: If you remember the sides from which movement is completely prohibited, then you will solve half of our problem. By the way, look at the diagrams (Fig. 84 and 85): movement is always prohibited from the back of the traffic controller (after all, he cannot see the back of his head)

Reader B: This means that at the exam in the traffic police, we always begin to solve such problems for the transport located on the side of the traffic controller's back.

This vehicle is prohibited from traffic

Reader A: Simple again, the chest is the opposite of the back.

Reader B: Of course, an outstretched hand with a rod or disc with a red signal as a barrier blocks the movement.

Reader A: Look, it turns out that if the traffic controller stretches out his arms, then he points them to those sides of the intersection from which traffic is allowed. The arms are extended to the sides and from there (that is, from the sides) movement is allowed. If the left arm is extended to the side, and the right arm is forward, then the movement is allowed from the side of the left side and chest

Reader B: That's how good it is, the traffic controller points with his hands to those sides of the intersection from where traffic is allowed. On the other two sides of the intersection, all traffic is standing still.

Further, carefully reading section 6.10, draw on the remaining sides of the intersections the permitted directions of movement of trams and roadless vehicles. Have you noticed any other features that are convenient for remembering?

Reader B: No, I didn't notice, but I got confused with trams

Reader A: But I noticed that trams and roadless vehicles always have the same permitted direction of travel. At the same time, trackless, as a rule, can also move in other directions.

Reader B: Indeed, if a tram can move straight, then you can go straight and trackless transport, a tram to the right - and a trackless one there, a tram to the left, will turn left and trackless transport. Well, how can I remember where I can take the tram?

Reader A: That's it, no more problems. I memorized the sides of the intersection from which traffic is prohibited and memorized how the trams move. Further, it is simple, because the trackless trams follow the path of the trams and, if possible, go even further to the right.

Reader B: Now I understand everything, how not to forget it.

At the first stage, out of four possible sides of the intersection, two are immediately separated, from where the movement of all types of transport is prohibited.

At the second stage, from the remaining two sides of the intersection, the permitted routes for the movement of off-rails are determined.

And if there is a tram in the problem, then at the third stage the permitted directions of movement are determined for it.The sequence of the step-by-step solution is given in Table 1

Please note that if a traffic controller controls traffic at an intersection of multi-lane roads, then you need to observe the "lane rule" formulated in clause 8.5 of the Rules

The request to stop the vehicle is given with the help of a loudspeaker device or with a hand gesture directed at the vehicle. The driver must stop at the place indicated to him.

An additional signal is given by a whistle to attract the attention of road users(fig. 88)

With a prohibiting traffic light (except for a reversing one) or a traffic controller, drivers must stop in front of the stop line (sign 6.16) (Fig. 89), and in its absence: at an intersection in front of the intersected carriageway (taking into account paragraph 13.7 of the Rules), without interfering with pedestrians (Figure 90);

before a railway crossing - in accordance with clause 15.4 of the Rules;

in other places - in front of a traffic light or a traffic controller, without interfering with vehicles and pedestrians, the movement of which is allowed

Drivers who, when the yellow signal is turned on or the authorized official raises his arms up, cannot stop without resorting to emergency braking, in the places specified in paragraph 6.13 of the Rules, further movement is allowed.

Pedestrians who, when the signal was given, were on the carriageway, must free it, and if this is not possible, stop on the line dividing traffic flows in opposite directions

Drivers and pedestrians must comply with the requirements of signals and orders of the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic signals, road signs or markings.If the values ​​of traffic lights contradict the requirements of road signs of priority, drivers should be guided by traffic signals

The traffic controller turned his back on you - traffic is prohibited. Turned sideways, hands at the seams - you can go straight and to the right Stands facing you, hands folded below the abdomen - was at his mistress and forgot to dress

Chauffeur's anecdote

Reader A: Therefore, the traffic controller has the highest priority in traffic management?

Reader B: This paragraph also says about the contradiction between the requirements of signs and traffic signals. What does it mean?

Reader B: Yes, there is a contradiction. The green signal permits movement, and the 2.5 sign requires you to stop, and then give way to everyone who is driving along the main road.

Reader A: Now the indication of clause 6.15 is very useful. Traffic signals are more important than priority signs. This means that you do not need to stop, since the green signal permits movement.

Reader B: I don’t understand why they put up priority signs under the traffic light, since they don’t work?

At railway crossings, simultaneously with a red flashing traffic light, a sound signal can be given, additionally informing pedestrians about the prohibition of movement through the crossing