Alert: Here’s How to Use Colorado’s Flashing Arrow Traffic Signals
Twice recently, I came upon flashing yellow arrow traffic signals at intersections and wondered just what drivers should be doing.
One driver appeared to wait for green. Another turned when a sign beside it read, “Left on green only.” The sign didn’t denote a yellow or green arrow.
The use of these signals is newer but not new. They started showing up in Colorado 13 years ago when Castle Rock was one of the first communities to install a flashing yellow arrow signal.
Why are the flashing arrow traffic signals showing up more and more?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, flashing yellow arrows reduce crashes. Some statistics show a decrease of as high as 50 percent.
And, while I sense confusion, research says arrow signals are easier for drivers to understand.
What do arrow traffic signals mean?
Here’s what those arrows, flashing and solid, mean:
Solid red arrow: Stop. Do not turn.
Solid green arrow: Turn left. Oncoming traffic must come to a stop.
Flashing yellow arrow: Turns are permitted when safe. You must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and then proceed with caution.
Solid yellow arrow: Stop if it is safe to do so.
Fort Collins traffic operations provides this helpful graphic. ⬇️
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Don’t take arrows for granted. Always check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians, in addition to oncoming cars.
And don’t push turns. Lefthand turns account for nearly 22 percent of all crashes. Their danger leads delivery services, such as the U.S. Postal Service, to plan their routes to avoid them.
It’s another reason Colorado traffic engineers love roundabouts. BTW, here’s how to drive through those traffic circle buggers.
As for the sign: If it reads, "Turn on green," drivers can turn on the flashing arrow and turn on the green. If it said to turn on green only, then the written sign trumps the traffic light.
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Gallery Credit: Chris Kelly