Stopping at red lights and pedestrian beacons

Key points

1. Stop at a clearly marked stop line, or before the crosswalk on the near side, or at the point nearest the intersecting road.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “STOP at a clearly marked stop line or before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or at the point nearest the intersecting highway before entering it.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 69

2. A flashing red indication is the same as a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “STOP for any flashing red indication; it is the same as a stop sign.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 69

3. On a steady red, you may turn right after stopping and yielding unless posted otherwise.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “You may turn right after stopping and yielding to cross-traffic except where posted otherwise.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 69

4. You may turn left on red onto a one way street after stopping and yielding, unless left turns are not allowed.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “You may turn left onto a oneway street after stopping and yielding to cross-traffic unless left turns are not allowed.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 69

5. A pedestrian hybrid beacon has two red lenses over a single yellow lens.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (sometimes called HAWK) consists of two red lenses positioned over a single yellow lens.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 56

6. A flashing yellow beacon warns you to slow down approaching the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “Then it turns to a flashing yellow light that warns drivers approaching the crosswalk to slow down.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 57

7. Two solid red lights mean stop completely at the stop line.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “Two solid red lights indicate to drivers to stop at the stop line. Vehicles must stop completely when the signal lights are steady red.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 57

8. When the reds flash alternately, stop, yield to pedestrians, and go when the crosswalk is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “When the red lights flash alternately, the driver must stop, yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, and proceed when the crosswalk is clear.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 57

3 questions from the Idaho practice test

1. 1. After stopping at a steady red light, when may a driver generally turn right?

   1. After yielding to cross-traffic, unless a sign prohibits the turn
   2. Whenever the driver has waited at least five seconds
   3. Before stopping, if no pedestrian is visible
   4. Only when a green arrow appears, even if no restriction is posted
   Show answer

   After yielding to cross-traffic, unless a sign prohibits the turn. Idaho permits a right turn at a steady red light after the driver stops and yields to cross-traffic, unless the location is posted otherwise. The stop is a prerequisite, not an optional courtesy, and the driver must still check pedestrians and other road users before moving. A timed wait does not create permission, and an empty-looking crosswalk does not justify rolling through the red. Look for a no-turn-on-red sign, stop behind the line, yield, and turn only when the path is clear.

2. 2. At a pedestrian hybrid beacon, what does a flashing yellow phase tell an approaching driver to do?

   1. Stop at once and remain stopped until the beacon goes dark
   2. Slow down as you approach the crosswalk
   3. Proceed at normal speed because pedestrians have not entered yet
   4. Continue without reducing speed until the light turns solid red
   Show answer

   Slow down as you approach the crosswalk. In the pedestrian hybrid beacon sequence, the first illuminated phase is a flashing yellow light. Idaho explains that it warns approaching drivers to slow down before the crosswalk. It is an advance warning, not yet the complete stop instruction delivered by the later steady red lights. Normal speed leaves less time to respond as the beacon changes, and turning around is unnecessary and unsafe. Reduce speed, watch the crossing, and be prepared for the next phase, which may require a full stop and a yield to pedestrians.

3. 3. At a pedestrian hybrid beacon, what must a driver do when two solid red lights are displayed?

   1. Stop only if a crossing guard is present
   2. Slow down but continue if the crosswalk appears empty
   3. Turn right without stopping because the beacon is not a standard signal
   4. Stop completely at the stop line
   Show answer

   Stop completely at the stop line. Two solid red lights in the pedestrian hybrid beacon sequence require vehicles to stop completely at the stop line. The handbook compares this phase with a steady red requirement, so an apparently empty crosswalk does not authorize a driver to roll through. A pedestrian hybrid beacon's unusual design does not make its red phase optional, and the rule does not depend on a crossing guard standing nearby. Stop at the marked line, remain alert for the next signal phase, and move only when the crossing and indication permit it.

Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook, Traffic Laws & the Rules of the Road. 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.