Roadwise States Georgia Driving lessons Traffic signals and lane control Georgia driving lesson · Signs, Signals and Markings
Traffic signals and lane control A 3-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Signs, Signals and Markings
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 35 Traffic signals control the flow of traffic at intersections. Know what each color, arrow and flashing light means, and what to do when a signal is dark or malfunctioning. Some roads also use overhead lane signals for reversible lanes.
Red, yellow and green signal Know the rule
Red: make a complete stop before the crosswalk or intersection and wait for green.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Know the rule
Yellow: the light is changing from green to red. Slow down and prepare to stop.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Know the rule
Green: go if it's safe, after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles in the intersection.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Know the rule
Green arrow: go carefully only in the arrow's direction, after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles in the intersection. A yellow arrow after a green arrow warns you to clear the intersection.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Flashing yellow arrow Know the rule
Flashing yellow arrow: you may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Oncoming traffic still has a green light.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Know the rule
Flashing red: stop completely, as at a stop sign, and proceed with caution after yielding. Flashing yellow: slow down and use caution before going through.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Know the rule
If a signal isn't working at all, treat the intersection as if there were a stop sign in every direction.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Know the rule
Drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians must obey signals except when an officer is directing traffic.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Red X lane control signal Know the rule
Overhead lane signs may show left turn only, right turn only, or straight or left turn only.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Put it into practice
After a storm, the traffic light at your intersection is completely dark. Treat it as an all-way stop: stop, then go in turn after yielding.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What must you do if a traffic signal at an intersection is not functioning at all? Treat it as a yield sign for all directions Treat it as an all-way stop Only vehicles going straight must stop Proceed with caution at normal speed Answer: Treat it as an all-way stop
If a signal isn't functioning at all, all drivers must treat the intersection as if a stop sign were posted for every direction.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ If a traffic signal is malfunctioning and shows a flashing yellow light, what should you do? Treat it exactly like a solid red light Only proceed if turning right Stop completely and wait for the light to change Proceed with caution Answer: Proceed with caution
A flashing yellow signal means you may proceed with caution.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ If a traffic signal is malfunctioning and shows a flashing red light, what should you do? Proceed with caution, no stop required Only stop if other vehicles are present Stop, then go when safe Treat it like a flashing yellow light Answer: Stop, then go when safe
A flashing red signal requires drivers to stop and wait until it is safe to proceed, just like a stop sign.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ What does a steady green traffic light mean? Go if safe, after yielding to others You may only turn, not go straight You always have the unconditional right to proceed You must still come to a complete stop first Answer: Go if safe, after yielding to others
A green light means you may proceed if safe, after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles already in the intersection.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ What does a flashing yellow arrow at a signal mean? Turn left after yielding Left turns are permitted without yielding Turn left only after a full stop You may not turn left under any circumstance Answer: Turn left after yielding
A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, who still have a green light.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ What does a steady yellow arrow appearing after a green arrow mean? It means the same as a flashing red arrow It warns you to clear the intersection You must stop immediately, mid-turn Oncoming traffic must wait for your turn Answer: It warns you to clear the intersection
A yellow arrow appearing after a green arrow warns you to clear the intersection.
Handbook p. 35 ↗ Previous lesson Guide, service and construction signs Next lesson Pedestrian signals and the PHB More in Signs, Signals and Markings About the source Roadwise’s Georgia course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 35. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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