Almost everyone experiences the same daily life, where they drive a lot to get to their destination safely and park their vehicle without any problems. All travel destinations have been arranged, even the journey is carried out smoothly without any traffic jams or problems with the vehicle, and sometimes you can be luckier by getting a parking location right at the front.
In these fine conditions, suddenly you find something surprising and confusing when you are going home, the lights that are used as stop signs that can be seen on the route you are taking are surprisingly replaced with flashing red lights. What should you do if you encounter such a situation?
It is not uncommon that on several occasions, such as on the highway, in public transportation, and so on, you see a flashing red light. What do that sign mean? All the flashing lights have different meanings depending on the context of use and also where they are used.
You don’t need to worry too much because you will soon find out the meaning of using the flashing red light. In essence, everything is created and used for the safety of drivers or road users.
This kind of thing is important and needs to be known, especially if you travel a lot and often encounter flashing lights. Continue reading the review so you can find out what its use is and why it is important for safety when driving.
Meaning of Flashing Red Lights in a Car
For those of you who have or own a car, of course you have seen and know that there is a red light on the vehicle, and may be starting to ask what its function is. Several cars have lights like this, including Toyota, Audi, Nissan, and many others. On the dashboard, several red lights can light up and flash in a shape that resembles a bright red key. This light also has the aim and purpose of its manufacture which is related to driving safety, or to indicate the condition of the machine or something similar.
Another function of the flashing red light is as an indicator or alarm that will sound when your car is broken into by an unauthorized person and commits a crime. All of these systems are generally built-in features provided by car manufacturers to meet required safety standards and increase customer confidence.
This light is a flashing red light and is usually called an immobilization light or anti-theft light for security. The presence of a red light indicates that the anti-theft feature has been activated. That way, thieves will be able to see that your car cannot be stolen so they will stop their plans more quickly without having to damage your car further.
For drivers, an anti-theft light that is already on also indicates that the owner will need a key to start their car, and there may be no other way than that. After all, this is a security system, so it needs to be made that way.
The default red lights installed in this car are usually installed in the following parts of the car, including:
- Next to the door lock
- Rearview mirror
- Dashboard
Flashing lights may be more difficult to see during the day because the influence of sunlight will blur the red light. Of course, the flashing red light will be much easier to see and even attract attention when it is on at night.
Meaning of Flashing Red Lights on Traffic Signals
For those of you who can drive by car or motorbike, of course, you are used to encountering conditions when the red light at the traffic signal is flashing. Most people won’t pay much attention to it and prefer not to pay too much attention to it, but there will still be people who wonder about the meaning of the flashing red light.
Both flashing red lights and regular red lights have the same function, namely indicating for drivers to stop. The thing that differentiates the two is determining when you can start driving again. It is generally known that people will stop at a red light until the light changes to a green light and continue their journey.
It should be noted that whenever you see a flashing or illuminated red traffic light, especially while driving, you must pay full attention. All of these have signs or signs that you must comply with for mutual safety among road users.
A condition where the red light is flashing indicates that you can pass if the road is empty and safe to cross. Therefore, it can be concluded that the function of this flashing red light is more than just asking you to stop but rather increasing caution. The point is to remember that you have to stop first when you see a flashing red light and can continue again after making sure everything is safe.
Try to stop and pay attention to your surroundings when you find a traffic light flashing red. Make sure that no people are crossing, cars passing, and other dangerous conditions, and then only after you make sure there are no threats, can you continue your journey.
The quickest and best preventive action needs to be taken immediately when you see a flashing red light. You should be aware that a flashing red light generally means you have to stop your vehicle, instead of pressing the gas pedal and speeding up so as not to be disturbed by the red light.
Don’t just stop to wait for the green light to turn on, it is very necessary to stop completely and wait for all other vehicles to pass. Ensure that traffic conditions are completely safe and start driving at a gradual and cautious speed.
Many traffic accidents occur at intersections because they are not paying attention and are too hasty to move.
Meaning of Flashing Red Lights on a Plane
There are lots of lights installed on planes with a variety of different functions. One of the red lights on the plane functions by flashing to provide a signal. The illuminated aircraft lights function as beacons to be a security indicator.
Just before the plane is about to start or even before it starts, this red light will start flashing on the part of the plane that is visible. This red light is a signal for personnel on the ground. This light indicates that the aircraft engine has been started, and in this condition, all personnel on the ground must immediately move away so that their safety is not threatened.
As long as this red light is running properly and smoothly, there will be no accidents that befall ground personnel when the plane is on until it leaves the airport.
Finding Flashing Red Lights While Cycling or Walking
You may encounter a flashing red light, or see a red light in the shape of a human because this light is attached to the clothes he is wearing while cycling or walking around the neighborhood. When you encounter such conditions, it means you must immediately stop your speed and are not allowed to cross until the red light disappears.
You are allowed to cross when the light changes color to green. However, you need to know that when you start crossing, the light may suddenly turn red again. In such conditions, you need to be careful when crossing and look right and left, because there could be vehicles passing even at relatively lower speeds.
The best thing is, in general drivers already have a good understanding of safety and how they should prioritize the rights of pedestrians or cyclists who are crossing the road. This condition makes drivers consciously slow down their speed just before entering the intersection area, and this needs to be done by all drivers.
Description of Traffic Signal
All signals given by traffic lights have clear indications or orders for drivers. It tells the driver when to stop when to go, and when to start reducing speed to prepare to stop. Something that doesn’t happen often, but you might experience it, is when the traffic light doesn’t operate, doesn’t turn on a color, or even displays another color.
Such situations can be very dangerous for motorists and cause very annoying traffic jams as vehicles may pile up at road intersections. It is unimaginable that this happened at a famously busy intersection and during rush hour. Therefore, when experiencing this kind of condition, follow the following rules:
1. Flashing Red
When you find a red flashing light, as discussed at length above, you must interpret that as an instruction to stop or stop completely. Then you need to pay attention to the surroundings, whether everything is quiet and safe to pass through. In some cases, other roads may have light signs with different functions. Especially if at the intersection there is a smaller road.
2. Flashing Yellow
The light flashing yellow tells you to be more careful when crossing the intersection. In this case, you are advised to slow down the speed of the vehicle instead of stopping completely.
This yellow flashing light is usually installed at intersections that are not too busy or are only busy during certain conditions. So all you need to do is slow down and look around to see if it’s safe enough to pass. If it is necessary to stop then it is fine to stop.
3. Red Light
You can immediately turn right only if you have allowed vehicles or pedestrians to get to the other side and the road is empty. But don’t do that if there is information that you cannot drive at all when the red light is on.
4. Red Arrow
You must stop until the red light turns green. This red arrow only prohibits you from turning in the direction indicated by this red arrow.
5. Green Light
You can start walking if the green light is on because green means go. However, you have to pay attention and make sure that all pedestrians or vehicles crossing are completely gone.
You can immediately direct your vehicle to turn left if you see enough space on the road to pass. Don’t endanger other drivers or pedestrians by passing too close. Every vehicle that wants to turn left must give priority to all vehicles that are traveling straight.
6. Green Arrow
The green arrow means that you can start walking, but again, you must let all pedestrians or vehicles cross first. The green arrow pointing to the left allows you to immediately turn without worrying about endangering other drivers or pedestrians who are going straight. This is because the other direction displays a red light which makes them stop at the intersection.
7. Yellow Light
The red light will immediately appear if you see the yellow traffic light on. It is recommended to start stopping safely when you see the yellow light on. You should never press the gas to go faster because this is very dangerous. Even if you find it difficult to stop, still pay attention to the other side of the road and slow down your speed to reduce the intensity of the danger.
8. Not Operating or Without Lights
When the traffic light is inoperative or not showing any light or flashing in any color, then you must automatically understand to make a 4-way stop.
In uncertain road conditions, not everyone understands how to react quickly and appropriately when they see an inoperative traffic light. Moreover, this condition of the lights going out is not an ordinary event and is certainly not unexpected, so it will reduce alertness.
This is the importance of maintaining concentration and not driving at high speed when crossing an intersection. With all the possibilities of unusual things happening to traffic lights, it would be better if you were always careful in maintaining your distance and keeping your vehicle’s speed within a safe limit for all road users.
That’s a review of the meaning of a flashing red light, and what action you should take if you encounter this in several situations. Hopefully, the review above can be useful and provide additional insight.
