How To Tell If The Traffic Light Will Change To Yellow Soon When Driving

Fresh Green Traffic Light 

A Fresh light is a green light you know for sure is going to stay green. The only way to be 100% certain is to see the pedestrian “Walk” signal advising the pedestrians that they may start walking across the crosswalk. Even then, there are a few rare exceptions to this rule.

Stale / AKA ‘Old’ green traffic light 

A Stale light is one that you think might change to yellow soon. Clues are: if the light has been green for a long time; if you see the pedestrian “don’t walk” signal; and if there are any vehicles waiting on the other street (on the traffic sensor) and/or pedestrians who have pressed the pedestrian buttons.

Traffic lights don’t just change randomly; they change due to demand from vehicles on the sensor or pedestrians.

Traffic Sensors on the pavement

Carmen

Hey, I’m Carmen, a being from Earth who has loved cars & driving for many moons. I became an ICBC GLP (graduated licensing program) driving instructor at the age of 22 in North Vancouver, Canada. The beautiful ‘North Shore’ was such a dream location. I’ve been working on this here website since 2012 when I created it.