Another Change
for Pennsylvania Drivers:
Flashing Yellow
Arrow Signals
Dale G.
Larrimore, Esq.[i]
The
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) began utilizing a new type
of traffic signal on Commonwealth highways in 2016 – a Flashing Yellow Arrow
signal. Motorists facing this type of signal must yield to any oncoming traffic
and pedestrians before completing a left turn. While drivers always have to yield before making a left turn, this signal is a renewed warning that you may not have the right of way.
The
Flashing Yellow Arrow is new in Pennsylvania, but this type of left-turn
traffic signal has been used in other states where it has been proven to
improve left-turn safety at signalized intersections. The Flashing Yellow Arrow
signal has become commonplace in many states across the country over the last
10 years. Based on studies and transportation agency testimonials, Flashing
Yellow Arrow signals improve left-turn safety by helping motorists recognize
that they should yield while making left turns when there is oncoming traffic
and pedestrians.
Where
implemented, this signal is often part of a signal configuration with four
different left-turn arrows:
•
Steady green left arrow meaning the left turn is protected and oncoming traffic
will be directed to stop.
•
Flashing yellow arrow meaning drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and
pedestrians before completing the left turn.
•
Steady yellow arrow meaning drivers intending to make a left turn should prepare to stop because the
signal is about to change to red.
•
Steady red arrow meaning drivers making a left turn must stop and cannot proceed.
The first
Flashing Yellow Arrow signals were installed in western Pennsylvania in 2016. PennDOT announced earlier this month that this signal will be placed at an
intersection in southeastern Pennsylvania on February 8 – at the intersection
of Route 52 (Lenape Road) and Pocopson Road / West Creek Road in Pocopson Township,
Chester County. This signal is being activated as part of the project to replace
the structurally deficient Route 926 (Street Road) bridge over the Brandywine
Creek in Birmingham and Pocopson townships. During this project traffic will be
detoured onto Route 52 while Route 926 is closed, and this new traffic signal
will enhance traffic flow on Route 52.
The
Flashing Yellow Arrow will move additional traffic through the crossroads by
allowing a greater number of drivers to make left turns onto Pocopson Road or
West Creek Road. It will be accompanied
by a sign reading, “LEFT TURNS YIELD ON FLASHING YELLOW ARROW.”
All Pennsylvania drivers should be expect to see more Flashing Yellow Arrow signals installed at other intersections in the future. More
information is available on the Flashing Yellow Arrow signals and other traffic signal
initiatives at www.penndot.gov
in the Traffic Signals, Management section of “Travel in PA”.
[i] Dale Larrimore is
the author of the authoritative treatise, Pennsylvania
Rules of the Road, published by Thomson Reuters, Vol. 13 of West’s
Pennsylvania Practice Series, updated annually.
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