Traffic signals and arrows

Key points

1. Never leave the roadway to avoid a traffic signal.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “A driver may never leave the roadway to avoid a traffic signal.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 77

2. When signals are not working, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “When traffic control signals are not working, you must always treat the intersection as an all-way stop by coming to a complete stop”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 77

3. At a red light, stop at the stop line, or before the crosswalk or intersection if there is no line.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “Red Light: Stop at the marked stop line. If there is no marked stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 77

4. You may turn right on red unless a sign prohibits it.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “You may turn right at a red light unless there is a sign prohibiting it.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 77

5. You may turn left on red from a one-way street onto a one-way street with traffic moving left.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “You also may turn left at a red light when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 77

6. A yellow light warns that the signal is changing to red. Do not enter once the red appears.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “Yellow Light: The yellow light warns that the signal is changing from green to red. When the red light appears, do not enter the intersection.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 77

7. A flashing red light means stop, yield to traffic in the intersection or crosswalk and go when safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “Flashing Red: You must stop, yield the right of way to traffic within the intersection or crosswalk, and proceed when safe.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 77

8. A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “The flashing yellow arrow means you may turn in the direction the arrow is pointed after yielding the right of way to any pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection or crosswalk.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 78

9. Never drive in a lane under a red X.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “Never drive in this lane when the red “X” is displayed.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 78

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Illinois practice test

1. 1. When may an Illinois driver turn right at a red light?

   1. Without stopping when no vehicle is visible
   2. Only after the signal turns green
   3. After a complete stop, yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, unless prohibited by a sign
   4. After slowing below 10 mph and sounding the horn
   Show answer

   After a complete stop, yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, unless prohibited by a sign. A right turn at a red light is allowed unless a sign prohibits it, but the driver must first come to a complete stop. Before turning, the driver must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Simply slowing down is not enough, and an empty-looking roadway does not remove the stop requirement. Waiting for green is more restrictive than the rule requires. Look for a No Turn on Red sign, stop at the required location, and check the intersection and crosswalk before moving. That sequence keeps the permission tied to its safety conditions.

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

   1. Slow down but continue without stopping
   2. Treat it as a green arrow
   3. Stop, yield to traffic in the intersection or crosswalk, and proceed when safe
   4. Stop only if a train is visible
   Show answer

   Stop, yield to traffic in the intersection or crosswalk, and proceed when safe. A flashing red signal requires a complete stop followed by yielding to traffic within the intersection or crosswalk. The driver may proceed only when the movement is safe. Merely slowing is the rule for neither this signal nor a stop sign, and a green arrow has a different meaning. The railroad reference is too narrow because flashing red signals also control ordinary intersections. Stop at the proper point, check for vehicles and pedestrians, then continue when the path is clear.

3. 3. How should a driver treat an intersection when its traffic signals are not working?

   1. As a green light unless another vehicle is visible
   2. As a flashing yellow signal with no required stop
   3. As an all-way stop, coming to a complete stop and yielding before entering
   4. By driving around the signal without entering the intersection
   Show answer

   As an all-way stop, coming to a complete stop and yielding before entering. A failed traffic signal does not create an uncontrolled intersection. Illinois directs drivers to treat the location as an all-way stop, make a complete stop, then look and yield before entering. Assuming green or proceeding as though the light were flashing yellow skips the required stop. The useful cue is simple: dark or nonworking signals call for a full stop at every approach unless law enforcement gives a different direction.

Source: the Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 10: Traffic Signals and Pavement 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.