Traffic lights in Europe

• Red light: do not cross the stop line or pass the light.
• Amber light precedes the red light: stop unless you are already too close to stop safely when the light changes.
• Green light: drive.

• Red light: do not cross the stop line or pass the light.
• Amber light precedes the red light: stop unless you are already too close to stop safely when the light changes.
• Amber and red lights flashing together: prepare to drive.
• Green light: drive.
• Flashing amber light alone: the intersection is not regulated by traffic lights, proceed with caution.

The sequence of traffic lights in Ireland is green, amber, red and green again.

Red light: "stop" - do not go beyond the stop line at the light or, if there is no stop line, beyond the light.

Green light: go on if the way is clear - take special care and give way to pedestrians who are crossing, if you turn left or right.

Green arrow (also known as the filter light): you may move on in the direction of the arrow, assuming it is safe and the way is clear, even if a red light is also showing. Always look out for emergency vehicles that may be responding to an incident using blue lights and sirens.

Amber light: do not go beyond the stop line or, if there is no stop line, beyond the light, unless you are so close to the line or the light that stopping would be dangerous.

Flashing amber light: you may proceed only if it is safe to do so and, if appropriate, yield to other traffic.

Flashing amber arrow: you may proceed in the direction of the arrow but only if it is safe to do so, and you must yield if other traffic is approaching.

Failure to obey traffic lights could result in 2 penalty points and a fine of up to €120, or 5 penalty points and a fine on conviction.

• Red and amber signal indicate an impending change from the red signal to green signal and convey the same prohibition as the red signal
• Green signal indicates that vehicle may proceed straight, or turn to the left or to the right
• Amber signal indicates an impending change from the green signal to the red signal and conveys the same prohibition as the red signal

Red light: do not cross the stop line or pass the light.

Yellow light precedes the red light: stop unless you are already too close to stop safely.

Red and yellow lights together: lights are about to change to green; get ready to go but don't set off until the green light is on.

Green light: drive on, provided the way is clear.

Green arrow beside the red light: you may turn in the direction of the arrow provided that you shall stop before the traffic lights and shall not cause an obstruction to other participants.