Tips & News
Tips & News
Flashing yellow arrow in Norman
It is intended to be an additional safety prompt urging caution for motorists preparing to make a left turn. Essentially, it means the same as a solid green light where left turns are permitted.
National studies have shown the flashing yellow arrows promote safety, reducing broadside collisions at busy intersections by 40 or 50 percent.
Flashing yellow arrows are used in major cities across the United States, but Norman is the first city in Oklahoma to try them.
The 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices endorses the use of flashing yellow arrows at intersections where left turns are permitted on green.
Eventually, the flashing yellow arrows may become standard — or a required signal — at busy intersections.
T-bone type accidents generally occur at fairly high rates of speed and are quite serious. Hopefully, the yellow flashing arrows reduce the number of accidents.
A solid red arrow: Means stop. Drivers turning left must stop.
A solid yellow arrow: Means stop if it is safe to do so.
A flashing yellow arrow: Means turns are permitted, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then proceed with caution.
A solid green arrow: Means turn left. Oncoming traffic must stop.
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Signaling
Oklahoma State Law says to signal at 100 ft. or 1/3rd block before the turn. It's difficult to know how far 100 ft. is standing still, much less in a moving car! Brown's promotes signaling before you brake or 2 to 3 seconds in advance of the turn.
