UK Driving Theory Practice Exam

What should you do if you see flashing yellow lights at a pedestrian crossing?

1. Speed up

2. Prepare to stop for pedestrians

3. Ignore the lights

4. Wait for traffic to clear

The correct answer is: Prepare to stop for pedestrians

Seeing flashing yellow lights at a pedestrian crossing serves as a warning that pedestrians may be in the vicinity or may wish to cross the road. This is a signal for drivers to prepare for potential stop and always be vigilant for pedestrians. In this situation, reducing speed is essential as it allows you to have better control over your vehicle and react appropriately should pedestrians enter the crossing. Being prepared to stop not only ensures the safety of those crossing but also aligns with road safety regulations intended to protect vulnerable road users. The other responses do not promote safety. Speeding up would reduce your ability to respond to a crossing pedestrian, potentially resulting in an accident. Ignoring the lights undermines the purpose of these signals, which exist to facilitate safe crossings. Waiting for traffic to clear can be misleading; you may still need to stop for pedestrians who are crossing regardless of other traffic. Hence, preparing to stop for pedestrians is the correct and safest course of action.