Flashing Yellow Arrow Turn Signal

In a continual effort to provide the safest roadways, the Nevada Department of Transportation and certain local Nevada governments are installing flashing yellow turn arrows at select signalized intersections.

WHAT THE TURN SIGNALS MEAN

DESIGN

These flashing yellow arrows replace the existing green left-hand turn signals at certain signalized intersections to create a safer, more efficient left-hand turn signal. When on, this flashing yellow arrow means a vehicle is allowed to cautiously enter an intersection only to make the turn indicated by the arrow, but the driver must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then proceed with caution.

After it flashes, the flashing yellow arrow then becomes a steady (non-flashing) yellow arrow or green arrow. Drivers should treat the steady yellow arrow just like a standard yellow light- prepare to stop or safely clear the intersection before the red light appears.

The new flashing yellow arrow provides a more direct message than the traditional circular green indication for turns. It reduces confusion because the turn lane display is no longer the same indication as the adjacent through lanes.

BENEFITS

• Safer-A national study demonstrated drivers had fewer crashes with flashing yellow left-turn arrows than with traditional signals.
• Less traffic delay-Motorists have more opportunities to make a left turn with the flashing yellow left-turn arrow than with the traditional yielding left-turn indications, which keeps traffic moving.
• More flexible-The new yellow flashing turn display provides more options to most effectively handle all types of traffic volume and reduce traffic back-ups.

FLASHING YELLOW ARROW TURN SIGNAL RESOURCES

Transportation Research Board Evaluation of Implementation of Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals: Click here