Lesson 3 of 6
Traffic Signals & Road Signs
5 min read · India-specific
Signals and signs are the shared language of the road. Confidently reading them prevents most intersection crashes — and jumping a red light in India now carries a ₹5,000 fine and possible licence suspension.
The three lights
Red = stop before the stop line. Yellow = prepare to stop, do not accelerate. Green = go only if the intersection is clear. A flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with caution.
Sign shapes and colours
Circular red-bordered signs = mandatory prohibition (No Entry, Speed Limit). Triangular red-bordered signs = warning (Sharp Curve, School Ahead). Rectangular blue = information. Octagonal red = STOP.
Right of way
At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to traffic already in the intersection and to the vehicle on your right. Always yield to pedestrians on zebra crossings and to emergency vehicles with sirens.
Key rules
- Stop before the stop line, not on the crossing
- Yellow means slow, not speed up
- Emergency vehicles always get right of way
- Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have priority