Traffic Signals and Arrows

Key points

1. A solid red light means stop and stay stopped until green.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “A SOLID RED LIGHT means you must make a complete stop and remain stopped until the light turns green.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

2. You may turn right on red, but only after a complete stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “You may turn right while the light is red. But first, you must STOP COMPLETELY, and you must yield to other traffic and pedestrians.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

3. A solid yellow light means the light will soon turn red; slow down and prepare to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “means the light will soon turn red. Slow down and prepare to stop.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

4. On a solid green light turning left, yield to oncoming traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “If you are turning left, the solid green light means you must YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

5. A green arrow gives a protected turn; oncoming traffic has red.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Oncoming traffic will have a red light when your turn arrow is green, giving you a “protected” turn.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

6. A flashing yellow arrow allows the turn, but you must yield to oncoming traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “means you may turn in the direction of the arrow if you are in the proper lane. You must YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

7. A flashing red light means stop completely, then proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “means you must STOP completely and proceed with caution, following the rules for yielding rightof-way at intersections.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

8. A flashing yellow light means slow down and use caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “means you must SLOW DOWN and exercise caution.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

9. If an officer is directing traffic, you must follow the officer's directions.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “If officers are directing traffic, you MUST follow their directions.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

3 questions from the Mississippi practice test

1. 1. At a flashing red light, what must happen before the driver proceeds?

   1. Stop completely, then proceed cautiously while following intersection yielding rules
   2. Slow only if another vehicle is approaching
   3. Continue without stopping when the cross street is empty
   4. Turn left immediately before the signal changes
   Show answer

   Stop completely, then proceed cautiously while following intersection yielding rules. A flashing red signal requires a complete stop, followed by cautious movement under the ordinary right-of-way rules for an intersection. Merely slowing does not satisfy the signal, and an empty-looking cross street is not permission to roll through without stopping. The rule does not grant a special left-turn privilege. Use the same deliberate sequence as a stop-controlled intersection: stop fully, look for traffic and pedestrians, yield where required, and proceed only when the way is safe.

2. 2. How should a driver respond to a flashing yellow traffic signal?

   1. Stop and remain stopped until a green light appears
   2. Accelerate to clear the intersection quickly
   3. Slow down and exercise caution
   4. Treat it as a red arrow for a left turn
   Show answer

   Slow down and exercise caution. A flashing yellow light tells the driver to slow down and exercise caution. It is not a command to stop and wait for green, nor does it authorize speeding through the intersection. Treating it as a red arrow adds a turn restriction that the signal does not state. Approach at a controlled speed, look for pedestrians and cross traffic, and be prepared to yield. The key visual cue is the flashing yellow indication: caution and reduced speed, rather than the complete stop required by flashing red.

3. 3. A yellow flashing arrow appears for your turn. What must you do?

   1. Turn immediately because the arrow gives a protected movement
   2. Turn in the arrow's direction only from the proper lane and yield to oncoming traffic
   3. Stop and wait until a solid green arrow appears
   4. Accelerate and claim priority over approaching vehicles
   Show answer

   Turn in the arrow's direction only from the proper lane and yield to oncoming traffic. A yellow flashing arrow permits a turn in the arrow's direction from the proper lane, but it does not create a protected movement. Oncoming traffic has a green indication when that arrow flashes, so the turning driver must yield before entering its path. A solid green arrow is not required in every case, and acceleration cannot replace a safe gap. Line up in the marked lane, watch the approaching vehicles, and make the turn only after yielding. The key cue is flashing yellow, which combines permission to turn with an unprotected approach.

Source: the Mississippi Driver's Manual, Traffic Signal Lights. 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.