Traffic Signals

Traffic signals are essential devices used to control the flow of traffic and ensure the safe and orderly movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Steady Red Light (Stop)

Come to a complete stop before a crosswalk or intersection. Remain stopped until the light turns green. You can turn right unless prohibited by law: a sign may indicate that right turns are not allowed. Yield to all pedestrians and other traffic lawfully.

Flashing Red Light

Stop completely before entering a crosswalk or intersection. Proceed when it is safe. Vehicles coming from other directions may not have to stop.

Steady Yellow Light (Caution)

Use caution; the light is about to turn red. Stop before entering the intersection if you can do so safely. Otherwise, proceed cautiously through the intersection before the light turns red.

Flashing Yellow Light

Slow down and proceed with caution.

Flashing Yellow Lights for Left Turns

Yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic before turning left.

Steady Green Light (Go)

Proceed straight or turn if 1) it is safe and 2) if other signs or signals do not prohibit continuing. Be sure to watch for other vehicles or pedestrians including reckless drivers who may speed through the intersection after the light has turned red for them and green for you.

Simultaneous Red Light and Green Arrow

Proceed carefully in the direction of the arrow after yielding to any other vehicle s or pedestrians.

Left Turn on Green

It is legal to turn left while a green light is displayed after yielding the right-of-way to any oncoming traffic.

Traffic Signs

Traffic signs are essential tools used to regulate, warn, and guide drivers on the road. They convey important information about road conditions, traffic rules, and hazards, ensuring safe and efficient travel. These signs help prevent accidents by providing clear instructions and alerts to drivers, allowing them to make informed decisions while driving.

The color of each sign has meaning. You can decode the meaning using the table below:

The shape of each sign also identifies its purpose:

Warning Signs

Warning signs are crucial because they alert drivers to potential hazards or changes in road conditions ahead. These signs give drivers advance notice to slow down, prepare for upcoming conditions, and take necessary precautions to ensure safety. Here are some common warning signs:

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs are essential because they inform drivers about specific traffic laws and regulations that must be followed. These signs help manage traffic flow, ensure road safety, and prevent accidents by providing clear instructions on speed limits, lane usage, parking restrictions, and other important rules.

Guide Signs

Railroad Warning Signs

Railroad Crossing: A railroad crossing is near. Slow down and be prepared to stop. Stop if you see a train approaching; never try to race across the tracks before a train.

Railroad Crossbuck: These signs are posted at every railroad crossing to show the location of the tracks. Slow down, look, listen, and be prepared to stop if a train is approaching.

Gate and Flashing Light: Stop as soon as the lights begin to flash prior to the gate lowering, and remain stopped until the gates raise and the lights stop flashing.

Stop within 15 to 50 feet of the nearest railroad when:

You are directed by a flagperson
There are flashing red lights or warning bells sounding
There is any warning device telling you a train is coming

Construction Devices and Signs

Common traffic control devices include signs, barricades, vertical panels, drums, cones, tubes, flashing arrow panels, and flag individuals. When in a construction zone, be prepared to slow or stop, change lanes, or to experience unexpected movements of workers or equipment. Note that construction signs are orange.

Important: Traffic fines are double inside construction zones where workers are present.

Channelizing Devices

Devices such as barricades, vertical panels, drums, cones, and tubes are used to alert drivers of unusual or possibly dangerous conditions around highway or street work areas and to guide drivers safely through work zones. They are often equipped with lights that shine at night. Be prepared to slow down and change lanes; be prepared for drivers who wait until the last second to change lanes; maintain a reduced speed until you are past the construction zone; return to the normal driving lane only after verifying it is safe.

Passing Traffic

Diagonal stripes on a barricade or vertical panel instruct the driver to move towards the direction where traffic is to pass.

Pass to the Right: Stripes sloping downward and to the right indicate that drivers should move to the right.

Pass to the Left: Stripes sloping downward and to the left indicate that drivers should move to the left.

Flashing Arrow Panels: These panels guide drivers into the correct traffic lanes and inform if part of the road is closed ahead.

Flag Person: A flag person wears an orange vest guide traffic through a construction zone safely. They are often holding a stop sign, slow sign, or flag to direct traffic. Always pay close attention, watch, obey a flag person’s instructions, and proceed with caution.

**Important: It is illegal to disobey warning signs or signals or to drive around barricades: a misdemeanor punishable by fine of up to $200. Keep in mind that fines are doubled in construction zones when workers are present. The offense is considered a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail when posted signs or signals are at a location where water is covering any portion of the road.

Pavement Markings

Pavement markings also serve to help drivers, warning and directing them as well as regulating traffic.

Two-Lane Rural Road with Two-Way Traffic: Keep to the right of the yellow center line. Drivers can cross a broken line when passing another vehicle or when their side of the road is closed. Be sure to only cross if it is safe to proceed: do not attempt to cross the line or pass a car when oncoming traffic is approaching on the opposite side of the road. Do not cross the line if it is solid yellow and not broken.

Three Lane One-Way Roads: Drive in any of the three lanes. However, it is best practice to stay right unless you want to pass.

Left Turn Lane Only: The only time a vehicle should enter a center lane is at a point where it will have time to slow down or stop before making a turn. DO NOT USE THIS LANE FOR PASSING OR AS A THROUGH-TRAFFIC LANE.

Multi-lane Highway (Four or More Lanes): Do not cross the yellow line to pass. Stay in your lane as much as possible. Stay right, except to pass.

Solid and Broken Lines: Do not pass if there is a solid line marked on your side of the road. Only broken or dashed lines permit you to pass or change lanes when it is safe.

Crosswalks: White lines painted across a road indicate pedestrian crossing areas. Be sure to stop your vehicle before reaching crosswalks when required to stop by stop signs, signals, or pedestrians actively crossing.

White Stop Lines: Like crosswalks, be sure to stop behind the white line at traffic signs or signals. This is for the safety of you, your passengers, and occupants of other vehicles.