What is the meaning of a yellow traffic light?

A yellow traffic light serves as a warning that the signal is about to change to red. It indicates that drivers should prepare to stop safely at the intersection. This is crucial for maintaining safety on the roads, as it alerts drivers to the imminent change and allows them to react accordingly. The intention of the yellow light is to give sufficient time for vehicles to either clear the intersection if they are already in it or to stop if they are approaching and can do so safely.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the purpose of a yellow traffic light. Going faster contradicts the warning nature of the yellow signal, and proceeding with caution can be misleading in this context, as it doesn’t emphasize the need to prepare for a stop. Additionally, stopping only if necessary does not fully capture the importance of responding to the yellow light's signal to stop when safe, which can vary based on a driver's proximity to the intersection.