When you come to an intersection, your driving decisions are normally quite simple: Green means go, red means stop, and yellow warns that a change is about to occur. However, drivers sometimes encounter flashing lights, which can be confusing.
These situations may happen due to power outages, broken signals, and late-night traffic changes. Here’s what to know about flashing intersection lights and how to act when you come across them.
What Does a Flashing Red Light Mean?
When you see a flashing red light at an intersection, you should treat it as a stop sign.
Follow these simple steps:
- Stop completely
- Check all directions for other vehicles
- Wait for vehicles that got there before you
- Only go when it’s safe and clear
The Federal Highway Administration reports that half of all traffic injuries occur at intersections. With that in mind, drivers need to be extra careful around flashing red lights.
What Does a Flashing Yellow Light Mean?
At an intersection, a flashing yellow light means slow down and exercise caution. Unlike a flashing red light, you don’t have to stop completely unless it’s necessary for safety.
When you see a flashing yellow light:
- Slow down
- Watch for other cars and pedestrians crossing
- Be ready to stop if needed
- Proceed when it’s safe
Many drivers make the mistake of treating a flashing yellow light like a green light. Even if you have the right of way, a flashing yellow indicates that you should be extra careful.
When Traffic Lights Are Completely Dark
In some instances, you may come to an intersection where the traffic lights aren’t working at all. When this happens, the rules are similar to flashing red lights. Utah law states that when traffic signals aren’t working, drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Every car must stop completely and then take turns going in the order they arrived.
Intersections With Different Flashing Lights
Some intersections have different signals for each direction. You might have a flashing red light, while cars crossing your path have a flashing yellow light. This setup gives the right-of-way to vehicles on the busier road.
If you have a flashing red light, and crossing traffic has a flashing yellow:
- You must stop completely
- The crossing traffic doesn’t have to stop
- You must wait for all crossing traffic to pass
- You can go only when no cars are coming
Intersections with mixed signals are particularly risky because drivers coming from different directions have to follow different rules. In such situations, accidents can lead to serious injuries, such as brain damage.
Flashing Traffic Lights at Night
Flashing lights at intersections often show up late at night when there are fewer cars on the road. During these slower hours, regular traffic signals might switch to flashing mode so drivers don’t have to wait at vacant intersections.
Nonetheless, you should be careful at intersections with flashing lights at night, as it will be harder to see other motorists and pedestrians.
Safety Tips for Flashing Light Intersections
Knowing the rules that pertain to intersections with flashing lights helps keep traffic moving and decreases the risk of intersection accidents.
Always drive defensively at these intersections. Keep plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you, as this will give you more time to stop if traffic suddenly slows. This space is even more important during bad weather when it’s harder to see and brake safely.
Staying Safe at Intersections With Flashing Lights
When an unfamiliar driver comes across flashing lights at an intersection, they may not know what to do. Understanding what a flashing red or yellow light means can help you stay safe in such situations. Remain cautious, proceed only when it’s safe to do so, and be wary of drivers who might not know or follow the rules.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have 5 convenient locations in Utah, including Midvale, Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo, UT. Clients can also visit our offices in Idaho Falls, ID & Rock Springs, WY.
We proudly serve Weber County, Utah County, Salt Lake County in Utah, Bonneville County in Idaho, Sweetwater County in Wyoming, and its surrounding areas:
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City Office
466 S. 500 E., Suite 100,
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 851-1202
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Midvale Office
7090 Union Park Ave, #160,
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 845-0440
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Ogden Office
2510 S Washington Blvd, Suite 160,
Ogden, UT 84401
(385) 402-8187
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Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Provo Office
37 E Center St, Suite 300,
Provo, UT 84606
(801) 876-4107
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Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Rock Springs Office
531 N Front St,
Rock Springs, WY 82901
(307) 205-7400
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Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Idaho Falls Office
2235 East 25th St. Suite #280,
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 418-0633
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