Flashing Yellow Arrow, No Turn on Red, and a Dark Signal
At 8:40 p.m., Dana approaches a signalized intersection on a four-lane arterial in Omaha. Dana is in the left-turn lane. The signal for the left turn displays a flashing yellow arrow, and a sign reads LEFT TURN YIELD ON FLASHING YELLOW. On the opposite side, oncoming traffic includes a pickup with a burned-out left headlight. For the right turn from the cross street, the signal is a steady red circle with a NO TURN ON RED sign. Dana also notices a white stop bar, a marked crosswalk, and a green bike lane crossing the right-turn path. Dana's motorcycle has a weak charging system, and the headlight dims at idle. Dana wants to know whether to turn left now, whether a right turn on red is allowed, and what to do if the signal goes dark.
1. What does the flashing yellow arrow authorize, and how should Dana handle the oncoming pickup with the burned-out headlight?
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A flashing yellow arrow means the left turn is permitted but not protected. Dana may turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic, pedestrians in the crosswalk, and cyclists in the bike lane. The pickup is a special hazard because a burned-out left headlight can make it look farther away or make its speed and lane position hard to judge at dusk. Dana should not assume the pickup will stop or that the driver sees the motorcycle. The correct move is to stop or slow at the crosswalk, scan the oncoming lane, make eye contact where possible, and wait for a clear gap. The yellow arrow does not give Dana the right of way, and a late turn across the pickup would be a failure-to-yield crash.
2. Can Dana turn right on red at the cross street? What must happen before the turn?
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No. A steady red circle with a NO TURN ON RED sign prohibits a right turn on red, even for a motorcycle. Dana must stop at the stop bar, wait for a green signal, and then turn only after yielding to pedestrians and cyclists. The green bike lane crossing the right-turn path is an additional reason not to roll through: a cyclist may be legally proceeding while Dana is focused on cars. Dana should also avoid creeping past the stop bar, because that reduces the space available to cross traffic and can block the crosswalk. The sign controls over the general rule that a right turn on red is sometimes allowed; the motorcycle's small size does not create an exception.
3. If the signal goes completely dark, what should Dana do?
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A dark signal should be treated as an all-way stop. Dana should stop at the intersection, yield to traffic already in the intersection or approaching from the right where applicable, and proceed only when it is safe. If the signal is flashing red, treat it as a stop sign; if it is flashing yellow, slow and proceed with caution. Dana should not assume that a dark signal means the cross street has a green light. Because the motorcycle's headlight dims at idle, Dana should keep the engine speed up enough to maintain visible lighting and should use the turn signal early. In low light, the safest approach is to stop, establish eye contact with other drivers, and cross only after the intersection is clearly clear.