amber lights

Slow down warning

Amber lights are yellow or orange traffic signals indicating caution—the transitional phase between green and red.

Drivers should prepare to stop when they see an amber light, though many accelerate to beat the red.

In British usage, amber is standard; Americans typically say yellow light.

The term extends to any cautionary warning signal.

Related

traffic signal · traffic · golden hues · twilight · hesitation · turn signals · indicator · glow · taillights · hazard · highway codes · hues · colors · bulb · shades · decision-making · dusk · road safety

Categories
Opposites
traffic signal sequence

amber lightsgreen lights

Signals indicating permission

green · red lights · red · all-clear · red arrow

Family

amber, lights, light, lighted, lighting, lightless, ambers

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G