A 3-minute lesson from the Montana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Signals assign right-of-way at busy intersections and midblock crosswalks. Know what every steady, flashing and arrow signal means — and still look both ways, because some drivers run red lights.
Traffic signal
What each signal means
What each signal means
Signal
Meaning
Steady red
Stop; right turns (and some lefts) allowed after stopping
Steady red arrow
Stop; stay stopped except allowed turns on red
Flashing red
Same as a STOP sign
Steady yellow
Caution — the light is about to turn red
Steady yellow arrow
Protected turn is ending; clear the intersection
Flashing yellow arrow
Left turn allowed after yielding to oncoming traffic
After stopping on red, you may turn right into a two-way street unless a sign or officer says not to, yielding to pedestrians, bicyclists and traffic. From a one-way street onto a one-way street, you may also turn left.
A steady green means go, cautiously — look both ways for traffic that may run the red. A green arrow means a protected turn; with no green arrow, turning traffic must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
If a signal isn't working, stop as you would at stop signs in all directions. Courtesy says the driver who stopped first goes first — but make sure it's safe even when you were first.
Your light turns green, but a car on the cross street is still coming fast. Wait. Right after your light turns green is exactly when cross-street drivers are most likely to run the red.
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 must you do at a steady red traffic signal before turning right on red?
Slow down but you need not stop
Stop first, then turn if it's safe
Proceed if no cars are visible
Wait for a green arrow only
Answer: Stop first, then turn if it's safe
At a steady red light, you must stop first, then may turn right if permitted, safe, and no sign prohibits it.
