UNDERSTANDING THE NEW FLASHING YELLOW ARROW USER GUIDE | UNDERSTANDING THE NEW FLASHING YELLOW LEFT TURN SIGNAL TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

NEW TURN SIGNALS circular green indication for turns. It BENEFITS reduces confusion because the turn The Texas Department of • Safer – A national study demonstrated lane display is no longer the same Transportation (TxDOT) will soon drivers had fewer crashes with flashing indication as the adjacent thru lanes. activate a new left turn signal at the yellow left turn arrows than with intersection of SH 351 and FM 2833 traditional signals. (East Lake Road) in Abilene. The WHAT THE ARROWS MEAN signal includes a flashing yellow arrow • Less traffic delay – Motorists have more to indicate that left turns are The signal will display the following opportunities to make a left turn with four phases: permitted, so the driver must yield to the flashing yellow left-turn arrow than Solid Red Arrow: Stop! oncoming traffic and pedestrians. with the traditional yielding left-turn No left turns allowed. indications, which keeps traffic moving. Drivers should wait at DESIGN AND FUNCTION the intersection • More flexible – The new yellow flashing turn display provides more options to These new type of turn signals are approach. most effectively handle all types of traffic updated designs to include flashing volume and reduce traffic back-ups. yellow arrow signals to create a safer, Solid Yellow Arrow: more efficient left turn. When The signal is about to illuminated, this flashing yellow arrow turn red and drivers FOR MORE INFO means a vehicle is allowed to should prepare to cautiously enter an intersection only to stop. Online: www.txdot.gov make the turn indicated by the arrow, Keyword: Flashing Yellow Arrow but the driver must first yield to Flashing Yellow Arrow: oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then Left turns allowed, proceed with caution. but you must yield to oncoming Abilene District Office After it flashes, the flashing yellow traffic /pedestrians. 4250 N. Clack St. arrow becomes a steady (non-flashing) Abilene, TX 79601 yellow arrow or green arrow. Drivers Solid Green Arrow: It’s 325.676.6800 should treat the steady yellow arrow just safe to turn left. Oncoming like a standard yellow light - prepare to traffi c must stop. stop or safely clear the intersection before the red light appears.

The new fl ashing yellow arrow provides a NOTE: This is the new standard that will eventually more direct message than the traditional replace the green ball in left turn signals.