Understanding Flashing Lights At Intersections: What Do The Colors Mean?

You are driving, and as you approach an intersection, you notice the intersection’s lights are flashing. You may or may not know what the flashing lights mean and what they are telling you to do. This article will review flashing traffic lights, detailing why they are used and what each color means. Understanding how to proceed through an intersection with flashing traffic lights correctly can help keep you, occupants in your car, and others around you safe.

Oregon car accident victims who would like to have their cases reviewed by a Portland car accident attorney can call the Rosenbaum Law Group.

Why Are Flashing Lights Used? 

Flashing lights are typically used to get a driver’s attention. In some situations, flashing lights may indicate an issue or problem to be aware of or to give a driver direction on what to do in the intersection. Flashing lights help control traffic and alert drivers of how to safely drive through the intersection.

 Colors of Flashing Lights and Their Meaning

There are three ways that flashing lights are used to inform drivers of how to proceed once in an intersection. Consider the following:

 Red Flashing Lights

When a red light is flashing, you must treat the intersection like a stop sign. This means you can drive through the red light, although only when it is your turn. So, the first thing to do is make a complete stop at the red flashing light, then look around to see if there are vehicles traveling through the intersection or pedestrians that may be crossing the intersection. Once it is your turn and it is clear, you can drive through.

 Yellow Flashing Lights

When the flashing lights are yellow, this is telling drivers to move through the intersection with extra caution. So, approaching an intersection with yellow flashing lights means you should slow down and look for any pedestrians or cars crossing the intersection, and then you can proceed through when clear. In the case of flashing yellow lights, a complete stop is not necessary unless there are hazards, pedestrians, or vehicles in the intersection that have the right of way.

 Flashing Yellow Arrow

Flashing yellow arrows are common and indicate the ability for a driver to make a left turn at an intersection but only when it is clear to do so and drivers must yield to others passing straight through the intersection. Since turning left and passing over traffic lanes can be dangerous, drivers should be very careful in intersections that allow this with the flashing yellow arrow.

Speak to an Oregon Car Accident Injury Attorney Today 

Familiarizing yourself with traffic safety rules, such as the meaning of flashing lights at an intersection, can reduce the risk of an accident. However, if you are hurt in an Oregon car accident, you can have the assistance of an attorney when you file your injury claim.

Call a Portland personal injury lawyer at the Rosenbaum Law Group at (503) 288-8000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.

Source:

oregon.gov/odot/data/pages/crash.aspx