What does a yellow light indicate?

A yellow light indicates that the traffic signal is about to change to red, and drivers should prepare to stop. This signal serves as a warning to alert motorists to take action—either to stop safely if they are far enough away from the intersection or to continue through if they are very close and it’s unsafe to stop suddenly.

It's important for drivers to recognize the meaning of the yellow light because it plays a crucial role in managing the flow of traffic and ensuring safety at intersections. Understanding this warning helps prevent accidents that could occur if drivers misinterpret the signal.

The other options do not accurately reflect the function of a yellow light. For example, saying to proceed with caution does not capture the necessity to prepare for a complete stop, which is the primary directive of a yellow signal. Similarly, the options suggesting the light will change to green shortly or that it is safe to cross the intersection can be misleading, as neither conveys the urgency of responding to the imminent change to red.