A 4-minute lesson from the Tennessee course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Signals assign the right-of-way at busy intersections, but a green light is permission, not a guarantee. Standard lights are red, yellow and green from top to bottom. Many crashes happen when one driver tries to beat the yellow and another jumps the green.
On a green light you must still yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection and, when turning left, to oncoming traffic. Never 'jump the gun' with a quick left in front of oncoming cars.
With a green protected arrow you have the right-of-way, after yielding to anyone already in the intersection. When the arrow turns yellow, the protected turn is ending — prepare to yield to oncoming traffic.
If a signal is out, treat the intersection as an all-way stop. When two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
WALK or a walking person means pedestrians may start across; those already crossing continue quickly. DON'T WALK or a raised hand means don't start crossing. Some signals need a push button.
You're waiting to turn left on a green ball light when it turns yellow with oncoming cars still passing. Since you're behind the stop line and not yet in the intersection, don't pull in — wait for the next cycle.
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.
Under Tennessee law, the yellow light must be shown for a minimum of how long before the light turns red?
One second
Ten seconds
Five seconds
Three seconds
Answer: Three seconds
Tennessee law only requires the yellow light to be shown for a minimum of three seconds before the red light.
