Traffic Light Colors
- Red light — STOP. You must stop behind the stop line. Do not creep forward or enter the junction.
- Amber (yellow) light — CAUTION. Stop if you can do so safely. Only proceed if you are too close to stop safely.
- Green light — GO. You may proceed if the way is clear. Check for pedestrians and other vehicles before moving.
Traffic Light Sequence
The standard traffic light sequence in Malaysia is:
- Red → Red + Amber (prepare to go) → Green (go) → Amber (prepare to stop) → Red (stop)
- The red + amber combination means the light is about to turn green — prepare to move but do not go yet
Flashing Lights
- Flashing red light — Treat as a STOP sign. Come to a complete stop, check that the way is clear, then proceed.
- Flashing amber light — Proceed with caution. Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.
Green Arrow Signals
- A green arrow means you may go only in the direction the arrow points
- You must not turn in any other direction, even if the main light is green
- A green arrow with a red light means only traffic moving in the arrow direction may proceed
When Traffic Lights Are Not Working
- Treat the junction as an uncontrolled junction
- Give way to traffic coming from your right
- Proceed with extreme caution, looking in all directions
- If a police officer is present, follow their directions instead
Pedestrian Crossing Lights
- Pelican crossing — Pedestrian-operated crossing with traffic lights. A flashing amber light for drivers means give way to pedestrians still on the crossing, but you may proceed if the crossing is clear.
- Puffin crossing — Similar to pelican crossing but uses sensors to detect pedestrians. The light stays red until pedestrians have cleared the crossing.
Key Rules at Traffic Lights
- Always stop behind the stop line when the light is red — do not creep forward
- Do not enter a junction if your exit is not clear, even if the light is green (avoid blocking the junction)
- Running a red light carries 10 demerit points and a fine
- Be prepared to stop when you see an amber light — do not accelerate to beat the light