A 3-minute lesson from the Massachusetts course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Traffic signals control vehicles and pedestrians, usually at intersections. Most are three round lights: red on top, yellow in the middle, green on the bottom. You'll also see arrows, flashing lights, and signals with 4 or 5 sections.
Steady red circle
Know the rule
Steady red circle: stop, and don't go until the light turns green. You may turn right on red only after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in your path, and not where a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.
You may turn left on a red light only when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Steady red arrow: same meaning as a steady red circle, but only for vehicles going in the arrow's direction. The same turn-on-red rules apply in Massachusetts; other states may have different laws.
Flashing red circle: same as a STOP sign. Stop completely before the white stop line or crosswalk; if there are none, stop where you can see traffic both ways. Then obey the right-of-way rules and go when safe.
Steady yellow circle: the signal is changing from green to red. You must stop if it is safe. If you are already stopped at the intersection or stop line, you may not proceed.
Flashing yellow arrow: you may turn in the arrow's direction while oncoming traffic has a green light, but only when there's an adequate gap in oncoming traffic and no pedestrians in your path.
Steady green circle: go, but first yield to vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians in the road. Enter only if you have room to get completely through; never block an intersection. Turning left on green, yield to oncoming traffic.
Signals that aren't working will flash red or yellow: follow the rules for flashing lights. If signals are completely dark, proceed as though there is a stop sign in all directions.
You're stopped at a red light on a one-way street, waiting to turn left onto another one-way street. After a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, you may turn left on red, the same way you'd turn right.
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 is it legal to turn left on a red light in Massachusetts?
From a one-way street onto another one-way street
From any two-way street
Only outside city limits
Never, under any circumstances
Answer: From a one-way street onto another one-way street
Left turns on red are legal only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
