Traffic Lights, Arrows and HAWK Signals

Key points

1. On red, you may turn right after a full stop, checking for oncoming traffic, unless a sign prohibits it.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “If you are turning right on red, you may turn after coming to a full stop and checking to make sure that there is no oncoming traffic and no sign prohibiting the turn on a red light.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

2. A yellow light means it is about to turn red; stop if it is safe to do so.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “Yellow traffic lights mean the traffic light is about to change to red. You must stop if it is safe to do so.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

3. If you are stopped and the light turns green, let crossing traffic clear the intersection before you go.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “If you are stopped and then the light turns green, you must allow crossing traffic to clear the inter­section before you go ahead.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

4. A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “A flashing red traffic light means the same as a stop sign. You must come to a full stop and you may proceed when it is safe to do so.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

5. A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “A flashing yellow traffic light means slow down and proceed with caution.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

6. A yellow arrow means the green arrow's protection is ending; prepare to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “A yellow arrow means that the protection of a green arrow is ending; if you are turning in the direction of the arrow, you should prepare to stop.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

7. If a signal is not working, stop as though the intersection had a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “State law requires a driver at an intersection with an inoperative stop light to stop as though the intersection was controlled by a stop sign.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

8. At a HAWK signal, flashing red means stop, then go once pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “Flashing Red The HAWK signal is about to deactivate. Drivers must stop but may proceed when pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

9. An officer's signals must be obeyed even if they contradict the traffic signal.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “You must obey signals given by a law enforcement officer, even if the officer’s signals contradict the traffic signal.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

3 questions from the Connecticut practice test

1. 1. What does a steady yellow traffic light mean for a driver approaching the intersection?

   1. The driver should accelerate through every time
   2. The driver has a new protected right of way
   3. The signal is about to turn red and the driver must stop if safe
   4. The intersection is closed to all traffic
   Show answer

   The signal is about to turn red and the driver must stop if safe. A steady yellow light announces that the signal is about to change to red. The driver must stop when a safe stop is possible. It is not a new protected movement, and accelerating through every yellow defeats the warning. A yellow light also does not mean the intersection is closed. Check the stopping distance, brake smoothly when appropriate, and avoid entering if the vehicle cannot clear the intersection before the signal changes.

2. 2. How should a driver treat a flashing red traffic light?

   1. As a flashing yellow signal requiring no stop
   2. As a green light when the intersection looks clear
   3. As a stop sign, stopping fully before proceeding when safe
   4. As a signal to reverse away from the intersection
   Show answer

   As a stop sign, stopping fully before proceeding when safe. A flashing red signal has the same meaning as a stop sign. The driver must make a full stop, then may proceed only when the crossing area is safe. Treating it like green or flashing yellow skips the required stop, while reversing is not the prescribed response. Reduce speed as you approach, identify the stop point, check for traffic and pedestrians, and move only after yielding as the intersection requires.

3. 3. What does a yellow turn arrow indicate?

   1. Cross traffic must stop while the arrow remains yellow
   2. The protected turn has just begun and must be accelerated
   3. The turn is prohibited until the next day
   4. Protection from the green arrow is ending, so prepare to stop
   Show answer

   Protection from the green arrow is ending, so prepare to stop. A yellow arrow warns that the protected phase provided by a green arrow is ending. A driver turning in that direction should prepare to stop, subject to the ordinary safety rules for the intersection. It does not call for acceleration, announce a daily prohibition, or guarantee that cross traffic will remain stopped. Watch the signal change, check the space ahead, and stop if doing so is safe instead of trying to force the turn through the transition.

Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual, Know the Road: Traffic Signals. 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.