A 3-minute lesson from the Kentucky 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. On a vertical signal the lights are red, yellow and green from top to bottom. In some metropolitan areas signals are horizontal: red on the left, yellow in the middle, green on the right. Some locations use a single green, yellow or red light.
Steady lights
Steady lights
Light
Meaning
Green
If clear, go or turn; yield to those in the intersection
Yellow
About to turn red—stop if you can do so safely
Red
Stop behind the crosswalk or stop line until green
A vehicle that entered the intersection on yellow may clear it after the light turns red, but it's against the law to enter an intersection after the light turns red.
Flashing yellow lights are found at intersections, construction areas and on some vehicles, like tow trucks. When there's more than one traffic light, obey the one over your lane.
You're stopped at a red light on a one-way street and want to turn left onto another one-way street whose traffic flows left. Stop completely, make sure the roadway is clear of vehicles and pedestrians, then turn into the nearest lane.
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 green light, you must:
Yield to oncoming through traffic
Only yield if a sign says so
Wait for a green arrow only
Proceed immediately without yielding
Answer: Yield to oncoming through traffic
Left turns on a green light must yield to through traffic coming from the opposite direction.