Michigan driving lesson · Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings
Flashing yellow arrows, pedestrian signals and HAWK beacons
A 3-minute lesson from the Michigan course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Newer signals help traffic move while protecting pedestrians. The flashing yellow arrow lets you turn left with care, and pedestrian signals and hybrid beacons tell you when people are crossing.
Know the rule
Federal Highway Administration research shows the flashing yellow arrow setup moves traffic more efficiently and reduces crashes. The signal head uses four separate lenses.
On a flashing yellow arrow, wait for an adequate gap and make sure no pedestrians or bicyclists are crossing. On a solid green arrow, still yield to people in the crosswalk.
You're waiting to turn left on a flashing yellow arrow. Oncoming cars have a green light. Turn only when there's a safe gap in their traffic and no one is in the crosswalk you're turning across.
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.
On a flashing-yellow-arrow left-turn signal head, what does the solid red arrow mean?
You may turn if clear
Proceed with caution
It's the same as a flashing yellow arrow
Stop; don't turn until it changes
Answer: Stop; don't turn until it changes
A solid red arrow means you must stop and cannot turn until the signal changes.
