Which road signs do not work when their requirements contradict the meaning of the traffic light signals?

Explanation

Priority signs.

In the hierarchy of road commands, when the meaning of a traffic light signal conflicts with the requirement of a sign, only one class of sign ceases to operate: the priority signs. Signs such as "priority road", "stop", "give way" and "priority over oncoming traffic" are without effect as long as the light is working, and the order of passage is determined by the light. The moment the light is switched off or goes to flashing amber, those same signs come back to life.

The logic is simple. A priority sign and a traffic light both do the same job: they determine who goes first. When two authorities exist for one job, one must win, otherwise two opposing drivers will each invoke their own document and meet in the middle of the junction. The light wins because it manages the junction's actual state moment by moment, whereas a sign is a fixed, blind rule.

But prohibitory and mandatory signs do a different job: they determine the direction and type of movement, not the order. A green light does not tell you that you may enter a one-way street, cross a solid line, or turn contrary to a "straight ahead only" sign. These signs are valid simultaneously with the light and both must be obeyed. One step above all of these is the traffic controller's gesture, which takes precedence over the light and over all the signs.

• Prohibitory signs restrict the type of movement, not the order of passage; a light turning green removes no prohibition. • Mandatory signs also do a different job from the light and are valid simultaneously; a green light does not permit you to move contrary to the arrow of a mandatory sign. • "All of the listed" means the light invalidates every sign, whereas only the priority class gives way before the light.

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