What should you do when you see a steady yellow light while driving?

A steady yellow light is an indication that the traffic signal is about to turn red. When you encounter this situation, you should typically stop unless it is unsafe to do so. This means assessing your circumstance — if you can safely stop without putting yourself or others at risk, you should do so.

The philosophy behind stopping for a yellow light is to ensure safety at intersections. The yellow light serves as a warning to drivers that they need to prepare to stop for the red signal. It’s essential to make decisions based on what is safest for yourself and other road users while obeying traffic signals.

While options regarding speeding up, proceeding if the intersection is clear, or simply slowing down may seem reasonable in certain contexts, they do not prioritize the protocols associated with a yellow light, which aims to promote caution and predictability at street intersections. Thus, the recommendation to stop, when safe, ensures compliance with traffic laws and enhances road safety for all.