Traffic signals and lane control signals

Key points

1. On a red ball, stop behind the crosswalk or stop line, or before the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 50

   “Stop behind the crosswalk, stop line, or if none, before entering the intersection.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 50

2. You may turn right on red only after a full stop, when safe and not prohibited by a sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 50

   “Right turns are permitted only after a full stop, when the turn can be made safely, and is not restricted by a “No turn on red” sign.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 50

3. A yellow ball means red is about to appear: stop unless you are in or too close to the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 50

   “A red light is about to appear. Stop unless you are already within the intersection, or so close to the intersection that you cannot stop safely.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 50

4. On a green ball, a left turning driver yields to vehicles going straight in the opposite direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 50

   “Yield to vehicles going straight through the intersection in the opposite direction if you are making a left turn.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 50

5. On a flashing red ball, stop, look in all directions and go only when safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Look in all directions for approaching traffic and pedestrians and proceed only when it is safe to do so.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

6. On a flashing yellow ball, reduce speed, use caution and yield to anyone in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Reduce speed and exercise caution. Yield to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

7. If a signal is completely dark and no one directs traffic, stop and yield to traffic on your right.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “If a signal does not have any of its bulbs functioning and there is no other signal head in operation for your direction and there is no one directing traffic, the intersection is uncontrolled. You must stop. Yield to traffic approaching the intersection on your right.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 52

8. Follow the directions of a police officer, fireperson or flag person over signs or signals.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “YOU MUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF A POLICE OFFICER, FIREPERSON, OR AUTHORIZED FLAG PERSON REGARDLESS OFSIGNS OR SIGNALS”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 52

9. Over reversible lanes, a steady red X means do not use the lane; a yellow X means clear it.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “Steady Red X Don’t use the lane. Opposing traffic is permitted to use the lane. Steady Yellow X Clear the lane in a safe manner.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 53

3 questions from the Alaska practice test

1. 1. What must you do at a red traffic signal ball?

   1. Stop before the crosswalk, stop line, or intersection
   2. Continue through if no vehicle is approaching
   3. Turn in any direction without stopping
   4. Stop only when a pedestrian is visible
   Show answer

   Stop before the crosswalk, stop line, or intersection. A red ball requires a stop behind the crosswalk, at the stop line, or, if neither exists, before entering the intersection. The choice permitting movement whenever the roadway looks empty ignores the signal's command. A right turn can be permitted only after a full stop, when safe, and when no No Turn on Red sign restricts it. The useful visual cue is the red circular signal itself: stop at the proper boundary first, then evaluate whether a legally permitted movement remains.

2. 2. How should a driver approach an Alaska flashing red ball?

   1. Stop before the crosswalk or line, look in all directions, then proceed when safe
   2. Slow down and continue without stopping if the crosswalk is empty
   3. Wait for a green ball before moving in any direction
   4. Stop after entering the intersection so the signal is visible
   Show answer

   Stop before the crosswalk or line, look in all directions, then proceed when safe. A flashing red ball requires a stop behind the crosswalk, stop line, or, if neither exists, before entering the intersection. After stopping, the driver looks in all directions for approaching traffic and pedestrians and proceeds only when it is safe. Treating it like a flashing yellow allows movement without the required stop, while waiting for a green ball describes a different signal operation. Stop at the proper reference point, scan the full intersection, and then continue only after the path is clear.

3. 3. If every bulb in an Alaska traffic signal is out and no person directs traffic, what must a driver do?

   1. Yield only to traffic approaching from the left
   2. Treat the intersection as an uncontrolled free passage
   3. Stop, yield to traffic approaching from the right, and proceed only when safe
   4. Wait in place until a bulb begins working again
   Show answer

   Stop, yield to traffic approaching from the right, and proceed only when safe. An entirely unlit signal head with no alternate signal or traffic director makes the intersection uncontrolled, but it does not remove the duty to stop. The driver then yields to traffic approaching from the right, exercises extreme caution, and proceeds only when safe. Treating the crossing as free passage invites a collision, and checking only left reverses the stated priority. The manual also says to report the condition to the nearest police department. Stop first, then apply the uncontrolled-intersection scan.

Source: the Alaska Driver Manual, Signs, Signals and Markings. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.