In Virginia, what does it mean if a signal turns yellow while you are approaching an intersection?

When a traffic signal turns yellow as you approach an intersection, it indicates that the light is about to change to red. The primary purpose of the yellow signal is to alert drivers to prepare to stop safely if they are able to do so. This means that if you are close to the intersection and can stop safely without running into the intersection while the light changes, you should do so.

Choosing to accelerate to make it through the intersection, proceeding without considering the traffic conditions, or stopping suddenly regardless of your position could lead to dangerous situations such as rear-end collisions or running a red light. Therefore, the appropriate and safest action when faced with a yellow signal is to prepare to stop.