A 3-minute lesson from the Utah course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Utah uses several newer designs to keep traffic moving: roundabouts, continuous flow intersections, diverging diamonds, ThrU-turns, and single-point urban interchanges. Each moves left turns out of the way, so they can feel strange the first time. Follow the signs, signals, and lane lines.
Roundabout
A circular intersection in which traffic flows counterclockwise.
Roundabout ahead warning signTraffic in a roundabout flows counterclockwise
Know the rule
Continuous flow intersection (CFI) left turn: watch for signs and a signal directing you to the left side of the road. Cross the oncoming lanes when the first signal is green, then turn left when the second signal (far left) is green.
At a CFI right turn, yield to traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians. Free right turns on red and traditional right-on-red are restricted there; watch the signs.
Traffic on the non-freeway road crosses to the opposite side over or under the freeway, briefly driving on the 'wrong' side. This removes many left-turn conflicts at the ramps.
An interchange above or below the freeway whose off- and on-ramps sit diagonally across from each other. Dashed lines guide you, and 'wrong way' signs mark the ramps.
At a single-point urban interchange you may U-turn from the off-ramp to re-enter the freeway if you face a green arrow when you begin. The red arrow you face on re-entry is for the traffic beside that light. Don't stop mid-intersection.
If the power fails at a single-point urban interchange, it is NOT a four-way stop. Proceed with extreme caution and courtesy; most have battery backup, otherwise an officer is sent.
You want to turn left at a continuous flow intersection. A sign directs you left before the main intersection. You wait for the first green, cross the oncoming lanes, then wait at the second signal on the far left and turn when it turns green.
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.
In a roundabout, who must you yield to before entering?
No one; roundabouts always favor entering traffic
Only vehicles turning left
Oncoming traffic already in the roundabout, and pedestrians
Only pedestrians, not other vehicles
Answer: Oncoming traffic already in the roundabout, and pedestrians
Yield to oncoming traffic already in the roundabout and to pedestrians before entering.
How do you make a left turn at a continuous flow intersection?
Cross oncoming lanes at the first signal, then turn at the second
Turn left from the right lane on a green arrow
Go through, make a U-turn, and then turn right
Wait in the middle of the intersection for a gap
Answer: Cross oncoming lanes at the first signal, then turn at the second
Follow the signs to the left side of the road, cross the oncoming lanes when the first signal is green, then turn left at the second signal on the far left.
The power fails at a single-point urban interchange that has no battery backup. What should you do?
Treat it exactly like a four-way stop
Proceed with extreme caution until an officer arrives
Yield only to traffic on your left
Go through without slowing on a green arrow
Answer: Proceed with extreme caution until an officer arrives
A single-point urban interchange is not handled like a four-way stop in an outage. Proceed with extreme caution and courtesy; an officer is sent for traffic control.
