A 3-minute lesson from the Mississippi course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Not every signal cycles through red, yellow and green. Flashing lights, dark signals, lane-control lights, police officers and pedestrian signals each have their own rules, and an officer's directions override everything else.
Flashing red light
Know the rule
Flashing red: STOP completely, then proceed with caution, yielding the right-of-way at intersections.
A WALK (walking person) signal means pedestrians may leave the curb; a DON'T WALK (hand) signal means they may NOT. If it's flashing, pedestrians must not leave the curb, but anyone already crossing should continue.
A storm has knocked out the traffic light at a busy intersection and it's completely dark. Come to a complete stop, then proceed with caution, following right-of-way rules as you would at a stop sign intersection.
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 is the correct response to a flashing red light at an intersection?
Slow down without stopping and proceed
Stop completely
Stop only if cross traffic is present
Yield without stopping
Answer: Stop completely
A flashing red light requires a complete stop, then proceeding with caution while yielding right-of-way.
