Traffic Lights & Crossings

Traffic Light Warning
Standard Traffic Lights
Crossing Controls
Toucan Crossing
Zig Zags
Pegasus
Crossing

There are 5 Types of crossing and then general Traffic Control Lights.

Zebra
A crossing controlled by Belisha Beacons.
Although an excellent introduction to pedestrian crossings many years ago, Pedestrians are still the most vunerable of all road users.
Rules applying to Zebra crossing are that vehicles should be prepared to stop on approach.
Any pedestrian that places a foot onto the road at a Zebra crossing has the right of way over all vehicles.
Always be prepared to stop if a pedestrian is close to the crossing as they can just walk straight onto the road without even looking.
Pelican
The only traffic lights with which the amber light flashes.
When this is flashing it is ok for a driver to proceed if the crossing is clear.
Always observe around the crossing to ensure no pedestrians are running to cross the road before the lights go green.
Early forward planning when approaching is vital to ensure safe driving and the safety of pedestrians.
Pelican lights work on a timer, allowing the pedestrians enough time to cross. This timer may be longer at busier crossings.
NEVER accelerate towards a set of lights and always be prepared to stop especially if lights have been green for some time.
Puffin
Look very similar to a Pelican Crossing with the additions of sensors mounted to the top of the lights to detect pedestrians.
The amber light does not flash so the normal sequence of lights would be that of standard traffic control lights.
If the button is pressed the sensors detects pedestrian presence and turns the lights to red, if someone pressed and walked off they would not change. Once the crossing is clear the sensors detect this and change back to green.
NEVER accelerate towards a set of lights and be prepared to stop on approach to lights especially if they have been green for some time.
Pegasus
Or sometimes referred to as Equestrian crossings. 
Designed for the use of Horse Riders and Pedestrians
A control unit up high for riders so they do not need to dismount, and one lower, at the usual height for pedestrians or riders who may be walking with their horse.
The crossing itself tends to be wider to allow the horse not to become spooked by vehicles and allow the rider to cross more easily.
Extreme caution when approaching these, as horses can be temperamental. When moving off after riders have crossed, move off slowly and quietly so as not to spook horses.
NEVER accelerate towards a set of lights and be prepared to stop on approach to lights especially if they have been green for some time.
Traffic Control
General generic Traffic Control lights have the following sequence for changing colour.
When red the order of change is as follows:-
Red
Red and Amber together
Green
Amber on its own
and the back to Red
Always ease off the gas on approach to traffic lights, NEVER accelerate towards them.
Once you have passed the point where you could not possibly stop in time then it is ok to re-introduce the gas.
ALWAYS CONSIDER AN AMBER LIGHT AS RED.
Toucan
Described by driving instructors as TWO-CAN
In other words two types of user can use these lights to cross.
Pedestrians and Cyclists.
Cyclists "should" dismount to cross the crossing to keep pedestrians safe. Always be extra cautious at these types of lights as cyclists can appear from out of nowhere and try and rush to cross before the lights change to green.
The lower control unit will show the lights changing to green for cyclists to move off before the vehicles main lights change.
NEVER accelerate towards a set of lights and be prepared to stop on approach to lights especially if they have been green for some time.

ZIG ZAG LINES AT CROSSINGS.

You must NEVER park on these it is an offence to do so.

Rule 191 of the Highway Code
You MUST NOT park on a crossing or in the area covered by the zig-zag lines. You MUST NOT overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing or the vehicle nearest the crossing which has stopped to give way to pedestrians.
Laws ZPPPCRGD regs 18, 20 & 24, RTRA sect 25(5) & TSRGD regs 10, 27 & 28

You should also never overtake another vehicle when passing
ZIG-ZAG lines as slower moving traffic may have given the opportunity for a pedestrian to cross even though the lights were green, overtaking another vehicle could put a pedestrians life at risk.
Always proceed towards traffic lights with caution.
NEVER ACCELERATE TO BEAT THE LIGHTS!

Traffic lights with filter systems.

The video shows how yo should deal with filter lights.
Priority is never yours unless an arrow is showing in the direction of your travel. However, still proceed with caution as others may not be aware of those rules.

A typical example of a driving test fail at filter lights

Learn more

Traffic lights and their sequences
and reason why errors are made at them.