Traffic signals and arrows

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain what each steady and flashing signal requires.
• You can tell a protected turn (green arrow) from a permitted turn (green circle or flashing yellow arrow).
• You can decide whether to stop or continue when a light turns yellow.
• You can handle a dark or flashing signal correctly.
• You can read pedestrian signals and yield to people crossing.

What you need to know and understand

• Steady red: stop and wait. Right turns on red may be allowed after a full stop unless signed otherwise.
• Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely.
• Steady green: go if the way is clear, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection.
• Green arrow: protected movement in the arrow's direction.
• Flashing yellow arrow: you may turn but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Flashing red: treat like a STOP sign. Flashing yellow: slow down and go with caution.
• A dark signal, such as in a power failure, means treat the intersection as an all-way stop.

Circles, arrows and what you still owe others

• Red circle: stop at the stop line.
• Red arrow: stop; do not make that turn. The national standard and California say not to turn on a red arrow unless a sign allows it, but Oregon allows the same turns on a red arrow as on a red circle after stopping. Varies by state.
• Yellow circle: stop if you safely can; if you are too close, go through carefully.
• Yellow arrow: the protected turn is ending.
• Green circle: go, but left turns yield to oncoming traffic and all turns yield to pedestrians.
• Green arrow: oncoming traffic is held, so you may turn in that direction, still yielding to anyone already in the crosswalk or intersection.

Deciding on yellow

When a light turns yellow, check your mirror and judge your distance. If you can stop smoothly at the line, stop. If you are so close that stopping hard would be dangerous, continue through carefully. Do not speed up to beat the light.

On a green light, do not enter the intersection unless there is room for your car on the other side. Getting stuck in the middle blocks cross traffic when the light changes.

Flashing, dark and pedestrian signals

Flashing red means come to a full stop, then go when it is safe, just as at a STOP sign. Flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with care; you do not have to stop. If a signal is completely dark, stop and treat it as an all-way stop.

Pedestrian signals show a walking person or WALK when people may cross, and a raised hand or DON'T WALK when they may not. A flashing hand means people should not start crossing, but drivers must still yield to anyone already in the crosswalk.

Common mistakes

• Speeding up when a light turns yellow. Prepare to stop instead.
• Turning left on a green circle as if it were protected. Yield to oncoming traffic.
• Treating a flashing yellow arrow like a green arrow. It still requires you to yield.
• Driving through a dark signal. Stop as if it were an all-way stop.
• Entering a crowded intersection on green and blocking it. Wait until there is room.

Test yourself: Traffic signals and arrows

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Flashing Yellow Arrow Meaning and Other US Traffic Signals