Re: Flashing Yellow Arrow

Justin Rhodes wrote:
On Apr 24, 1:40 pm, Andrew Tompkins <andy...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Justin Rhodes wrote:
On Apr 23, 11:24 am, "daryl.gib...@xxxxxxxxx" <daryl.gib...@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Utah DOT has added a PDF brochure explaining flashing yellow arrows in
the state:
http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/uconowner.gf?n=200703191029201
I don't like the idea at all...
In a typical green-yellow-red arrow setup, a driver facing a yellow
arrow is in a protective phase that is about to end, so a left turn on
a yellow arrow is still safe.
In a flashing yellow-yellow-red setup, a driver facing the flashing
yellow arrow is apparently cautioned to yield. But when the arrow goes
from flashing yellow, a driver unfamiliar with the signal
configuration might assume it means the same thing as a yellow that
follows green, assume that the turn is protected, and make the turn
against opposing traffic that has a yellow ball and is racing through
the intersection to beat the light.
Effectively what this does is give the solid yellow arrow two
different meanings depending on the signal head configuration. This is
an accident and lawsuit waiting to happen.
Depends on what steady yellow means in a given state. In some states,
steady yellow means stop unless it is unsafe to do so, in which case,
both uses of the steady yellow arrow indicate the same thing.

Really? Take this scenario: A driver facing a yellow left turn arrow
who is too close to stop safely will make a left turn assuming the
turn is protected. Opposing traffic that is facing a yellow ball but
cannot stop in time will also go through the intersection. The story
told to the police will be:

Driver 1: I had the yellow arrow to turn left. I was too close to the
intersection to stop safely, and I entered the intersection on yellow.

Driver 2: I had a yellow light to go straight. I was too close to the
intersection to stop safely, and I entered the intersection on yellow.

Who is at fault?

Given that scenario, explain to me how the solid yellow arrow would
not take on an alternate meaning in that situation.

The meaning of the signal doesn't change based on the actions of the user. This also doesn't mean that the left turning driver cannot stop in the intersection after crossing the stop line, then continue with the left turn when the path is clear. If a driver is going too fast to stop in the intersection making a left turn, chances are good that the driver is approaching the intersection unsafely and going too fast to make the left turn safely. It's a rare event when I'm not on the brake at some point approaching an intersection for a left turn, and certainly off the gas.

--
--Andy
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Flashing Yellow Arrow
    ... In a typical green-yellow-red arrow setup, a driver facing a yellow ... cannot stop in time will also go through the intersection. ... explain to me how the solid yellow arrow would ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: Flashing Yellow Arrow
    ... In a typical green-yellow-red arrow setup, a driver facing a yellow ... cannot stop in time will also go through the intersection. ... The meaning of the signal doesn't change based on the actions of the ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: traffic lights in Canadian English
    ... A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone ... shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering ... the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: traffic lights in Canadian English
    ... A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone ... shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering ... the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: Left Turn On Red (was Re: CO: An Interstate I-25 Sign? Got it!)
    ... Doesn't that defeat the inherent meaning of the red arrow? ... >> This section establishes appropriate driver responses to specific ... Unless entering the intersection to make some other ... >> which is permitted by another signal, a driver facing a steady red ...
    (misc.transport.road)