When approaching an intersection with a yellow light, what should your action be?

When approaching an intersection with a yellow light, the appropriate action is to prepare to stop unless it is unsafe to do so. A yellow light serves as a warning that the signal is about to change to red, indicating that vehicles should clear the intersection if they are already in it or prepare to stop if they are approaching.

This allows for smoother traffic flow and helps prevent accidents, as drivers are informed that they need to make a decision quickly—either to stop or safely navigate through the intersection if they are too close to stop in time.

Understanding this context is vital because disregarding the yellow light could lead to running a red light, which is hazardous and illegal. Conversely, speeding up to clear the intersection is not a safe response, as it increases the likelihood of an accident if the light changes. Proceeding as you normally would or ignoring the signal altogether would also risk a collision, as other vehicles might expect a vehicle to stop on yellow. Thus, preparing to stop, while considering the safety of doing so, is the safest and most responsible action when faced with a yellow light.