In standard traffic signals, green tells vehicles they may proceed when the way is clear.
Traffic lights use colored signals to assign right of way at intersections and crossings. Green normally permits movement, but it does not cancel other rules: drivers must still yield to pedestrians, obey signs, and avoid entering a blocked junction.
Green is commonly paired with red for stop and yellow or amber for transition. The exact sequence and timing vary by country, but the basic meaning is widely recognized internationally. A green arrow can add a more specific instruction, such as allowing a turn while other movements remain stopped.
A common mistake is treating green as an unconditional command to accelerate. It is permission to proceed only when doing so is safe and legally allowed. Flashing green signals, where used, can have special local meanings, so road users should follow the rules of the jurisdiction they are in.