A 3-minute lesson from the Kansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Traffic signals tell you when and where to stop and go. Each color means something different when it's steady, flashing or shown as an arrow, and a green light never means the way is guaranteed clear.
Know the rule
Traffic control devices include signals, signs and pavement markings. You must also obey directions from law enforcement, highway personnel and school crossing guards.
Signal lights are red, yellow and green from top to bottom. On horizontal signals, used in some metro areas, red is on the left, yellow in the middle and green on the right.
When your light turns green, let crossing traffic clear the intersection first. Turning left on a steady green, you may turn only when clear, yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
You're first in line at a red light and want to turn right. There's no NO TURN ON RED sign. Stop fully behind the stop line, check for cross traffic and pedestrians, then turn when it's 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.
When turning left on a steady green light, you may turn:
Only if a green arrow is also displayed
Immediately, since green always means go
Only when clear, yielding to oncoming traffic
Only after all oncoming traffic has a red light showing
Answer: Only when clear, yielding to oncoming traffic
A steady green permits a left turn, but only when it is clear and after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
