Pavement Markings and Traffic Signals Used With Signs
Pavement markings and signals working with signs
Pavement markings repeat and extend sign messages. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate lanes moving the same way. A broken line may be crossed when safe; a solid line should not be crossed except for a turn or lane change permitted by law. Double solid yellow means no passing. A stop bar is the thick white line where you stop for a sign or signal. Crosswalk markings define the pedestrian path. Arrows in a lane show the movements allowed from that lane.
Traffic signals: steady red means stop; steady yellow means stop if you can do so safely; steady green means proceed if the intersection is clear. Flashing red is treated like a stop sign; flashing yellow means proceed with caution. A red arrow prohibits the movement shown. A green arrow gives a protected movement. Right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; left turn on red is more restricted and only where law and signs permit.
Worked example: You want to turn right at a red light. A sign reads "NO TURN ON RED." You stop and wait for green, even if traffic is clear. Without that sign, you would stop, yield to pedestrians and cross traffic, then turn when safe.
Traps: crossing a solid line to reach an exit; stopping past the stop bar; treating a flashing yellow as a green; turning right on red without a full stop; and ignoring a "NO TURN ON RED" plaque because the light is green for the cross street.