A 3-minute lesson from the Indiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Where you stop matters, and some signals aren't meant for you at all. Bicycle and transit signals control only their own lanes, and pedestrian signals and beacons tell you when walkers have the road.
Know the rule
At a red light or stop sign, stop at the solid white stop line. With no stop line, stop perpendicular to the stop sign or before the crosswalk on your side; with no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.
A yield sign means slow down and be ready to stop fully for a vehicle or pedestrian with the right of way. That vehicle should not have to brake to avoid hitting you.
A motorcycle or MDC stuck at a red light that won't change may go through after a complete stop of at least two minutes, using due caution. This does not apply to autocycles.
A signal showing only bicycle symbols controls a bike lane or separate bike path and applies only to bicyclists: red means stop, yellow means right-of-way ending, green means go.
WALK or a walking person means pedestrians may cross; DON'T WALK or a raised hand means don't. Flashing means crossing time is ending. Some crossings have a push button to activate WALK.
At a mid-block crosswalk, a beacon over the road shows two steady red lights. Stop and stay stopped while the pedestrian crosses. When the reds begin flashing, you may go once the crossing is clear.
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 does a flashing 'DON'T WALK' signal tell pedestrians?
It is now safe to begin crossing
The walk signal is about to begin
The time to cross is ending
Vehicles must stop right away
Answer: The time to cross is ending
The flashing words or symbol alert pedestrians that the time to safely cross the street is ending.
