Traffic lights. A pretty everyday piece of street furniture. We all know what they’re for and how to use them.
Or do we? It turns out more than half of all drivers don’t know the traffic light sequence. We asked 1000 drivers to name the signal after amber.
Just under half (48%) correctly chose red. Worryingly, nearly four out of ten (39%) thought an amber light was about to change to green. Almost one in ten (7%) expected a green and amber signal next, while 6% thought red and amber would appear.
We’re surprised that so few drivers remember the traffic light sequence correctly. What really had us worried was that so many drivers expect to see a green and amber signal since this doesn’t exist! Come on people!
Our research revealed some big differences between the regions. The East Midlands led the way, with 64% of drivers correctly choosing red as the next light in the sequence. 61% of drivers in East Anglia answered correctly, as did 58% in Northern Ireland.
Welsh drivers were most disappointing, with only 40% expecting red to follow amber. Just 45% of Scottish drivers answered correctly.
In central London, there are 2.4 personal injury accidents per year at traffic signals.
With so few drivers knowing the correct traffic light sequence, perhaps this is one of the reasons why.
What colour is the UK traffic light signal after AMBER?
| REGION | GREEN | RED | GREEN& AMBER | RED & AMBER |
| TOTAL | 39% | 48% | 7% | 6% |
| London | 44% | 46% | 3% | 8% |
| South East | 35% | 49% | 8% | 8% |
| South West | 36% | 47% | 10% | 7% |
| East Anglia | 25% | 61% | 8% | 6% |
| North West | 46% | 46% | 6% | 2% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 36% | 50% | 11% | 3% |
| Wales | 48% | 40% | 8% | 5% |
| North East | 32% | 45% | 14% | 9% |
| East Midlands | 28% | 64% | 5% | 3% |
| West Midlands | 39% | 46% | 9% | 6% |
| Scotland | 41% | 45% | 8% | 6% |
| Northern Ireland | 37% | 58% | 5% | 0% |
