Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Beacons

Key points

1. Follow directions from law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “You must follow directions from these persons.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 11

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

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Flashing red Treat it the same as a stop sign.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 11

3. On solid yellow, do not enter if you can stop safely; if not, go through with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Do not enter the intersection if you can stop safely. If you cannot stop safely, proceed through the intersection with caution.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 11

4. Flashing yellow means proceed with caution, yielding to vehicles and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Proceed with caution. Yield to vehicles and pedestrians and proceed when it is safe.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 11

5. On solid green, go only when the intersection is clear, yielding to vehicles and pedestrians in it.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Go, but only when the intersection is clear. Yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 11

6. On a flashing yellow arrow, yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn left with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians; then turn left proceeding with caution. Oncoming traffic has a green light.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 11

7. When a rapid flashing beacon is flashing, stop for anyone in the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Motorists must stop for anyone within the crosswalk and be alert for anyone about to enter the crosswalk when the beacon is flashing.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

8. When the top two red lights of a pedestrian hybrid beacon are solid, stop for pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Then the top two red lights become solid, and motorists must stop for pedestrians.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

3 questions from the Iowa practice test

1. 1. When a steady yellow signal appears, which response matches Iowa guidance?

   1. Do not enter if you can stop safely; otherwise continue cautiously
   2. Enter the intersection faster to beat the red signal
   3. Stop in the intersection even if the vehicle has already crossed the line
   4. Treat it as a flashing red signal and wait for a full cycle
   Show answer

   Do not enter if you can stop safely; otherwise continue cautiously. A steady yellow signal marks a transition and calls for a judgment about stopping safely. If the vehicle can stop without creating a hazard, it should not enter the intersection. If stopping safely is no longer possible, the driver should proceed through with caution. Accelerating to beat red is an unsafe gamble, while stopping after already entering can block cross traffic. Look ahead, check the intersection, and avoid a harsh stop when the vehicle is too close to the line. Yellow means prepare and decide, not race.

2. 2. How must a driver handle a flashing red traffic signal?

   1. Treat it the same as a stop sign
   2. Treat it as a flashing yellow and continue without stopping
   3. Stop and wait until the signal becomes solid green
   4. Slow only if cross traffic is visible
   Show answer

   Treat it the same as a stop sign. A flashing red signal has the same stopping meaning as a stop sign. Come to a complete stop, check the intersection and crosswalk, and proceed only after the movement is safe and permitted. Continuing without stopping confuses red with flashing yellow. Waiting for a solid green is also unnecessary because the driver may go after the stop when the way is clear. Do not decide based only on whether another vehicle is visible; pedestrians and traffic can approach from outside the first glance. Stop first, then scan fully.

3. 3. Before turning on a flashing yellow arrow at an Iowa intersection, what must a driver do?

   1. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn with caution
   2. Stop and wait for a solid green arrow
   3. Turn immediately because cross traffic must stop
   4. Treat the signal as a flashing red light
   Show answer

   Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn with caution. A flashing yellow arrow permits the indicated turn only after the driver yields to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The signal does not give an unqualified right to turn, so the immediate-turn option is unsafe. It also is not a stop signal, which rules out waiting for a solid green arrow as a mandatory step and rules out treating it like flashing red. Scan the opposing lane and the crosswalk first, then complete the turn cautiously when the path is clear. The arrow describes permission with a yield condition attached.

Source: the Iowa Driver's Manual, Chapter 2: 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.