traffic lights

Meaning

Traffic lights are a set of automatically operated colored lights (red, yellow/amber, and green) used to control the flow of vehicles and pedestrians at road intersections. In British English, the plural form 'traffic lights' is standard, while American English often uses the singular 'traffic light' or 'stoplight'.

Examples

• Turn left at the next traffic lights.

  Turn left at the next traffic lights.

• The traffic lights turned red just as we reached the intersection.

  The traffic lights turned red just as we reached the intersection.

• Drivers must stop when the traffic lights are red.

  Drivers must stop when the traffic lights are red.

• I was stuck at the traffic lights for three minutes.

  I was stuck at the traffic lights for three minutes.

• Wait for the traffic lights to change before you cross the street.

  Wait for the traffic lights to change before you cross the street.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Turn right at the traffic light's point.

  ✓ Turn right at the traffic lights.

  You do not need to add words like 'point' or 'station'. Simply say 'at the traffic lights'.

• ✗ The traffic stop light is green.

  ✓ The traffic light is green.

  Combining 'traffic' and 'stop light' is redundant. Use either 'traffic light' or 'stoplight'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• You should always stop your car when the ___ turn red.

  💡 The red, yellow, and green signals on the road.

  Show answer

  traffic lights

• Go straight and turn right at the first set of ___.

  💡 The lights that control the cars at a junction.

  Show answer

  traffic lights