What action should be taken when a traffic light turns yellow?

When a traffic light turns yellow, the appropriate action is to prepare to stop if it is safe to do so. The yellow light serves as a warning that the light is about to change to red, indicating that vehicles should be cautious and ready to halt. The intent of the yellow light is to allow drivers enough time to react appropriately, either by safely stopping if they are able to do so without risking an accident, or by proceeding if stopping would pose a danger due to the proximity of the vehicle to the intersection.

Choosing to speed up to beat the light can lead to unsafe scenarios, as it not only increases the risk of a collision but also can result in running a red light. Proceeding through the intersection without stopping ignores the warning provided by the yellow light, potentially causing accidents with vehicles waiting to enter the intersection on red. Ignoring a yellow light because no one is around disregards the traffic signals' purpose and can create dangerous habits and a lack of awareness of other vehicles or pedestrians that may suddenly appear. Therefore, the safest and recommended response is to prepare to stop, considering the overall context of road safety.