Posted on December 3, 2019 at 3:51 PM by Kate Berg
December 2, 2019
Ask the Chief
Q: The women in my coffee group were discussing the new flashing turn arrows in town; can you clarify the difference between a flashing yellow arrow and steady yellow arrow?
A: Thank you for your question. Evidently you are not alone, regarding the flashing yellow arrow: during the most recent Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) fatal review meeting, it was noted that there were a few crashes and near misses related to the new flashing yellow arrows. On October 7, 2019, we briefly discussed how to turn at a flashing yellow arrow at the Spring Creek Road intersection.
In the City of Red Wing, there are two traffic signals that utilize the flashing yellow arrow; one is at Spring Creek Road and Hwy 61 and the other is at Hwy 58 and Flower Valley/Pioneer Road. Minnesota Statute 169.06, Subdivsion 5 covers Traffic Control Signals. On a “Flashing Yellow Arrow” you may make a left turn when it is clear to do so. Remember, you must still yield to on-coming traffic as they have the green light/right of way. When the flashing yellow arrow turns to a steady yellow arrow, you may finish completing your turn if it is safe/clear to do so. All other traffic approaching a steady yellow arrow should prepare to come to a stop, as the light will be changing to solid red.
References and Resources:
1. Minnesota Statute Chapter 169.06, Signs, Signals, Markings. Located online at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169.06
2. Michigan Department of Transportation, Turning at Yellow Flashing Arrow YouTube video, located online at: https://youtu.be/uIkanxT72KI
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Tag(s): weekly blog, traffic law, RWPD, police blog, left-turn arrow, left turn signal, left turn arrow, flashing yellow arrow, flashing traffic lights, Chief Pohlman, blog, Ask the Chief