Traffic Signals and Arrows

Key points

1. Signals run red, yellow, green from top to bottom; horizontal signals put red on the left.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “They are red, yellow, and green from top to bottom. If traffic lights are horizontal, the red light is on the left”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 45

2. A flashing yellow light means slow down, proceed with caution and be ready to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “slow down and proceed with caution. Be prepared to stop for any traffic.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 45

3. On a flashing yellow arrow you may turn, but first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “turns are permitted, but first you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Oncoming traffic has a green light.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 46

4. On red, you may turn right after a complete stop unless posted otherwise.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “You may turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop unless posted otherwise.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 46

5. A flashing red means stop and look both ways before entering.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “stop and look both ways before entering the intersection.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 46

6. A red right turn arrow means right turns are prohibited; stay stopped until a signal to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “right turns are prohibited. Stop and remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 46

7. If the lights are not working, stop completely and yield to any vehicle on the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “If you approach an intersection where the traffic lights are not working, you must first come to a complete stop before entering the intersection and yield the right-of-way to any vehicle on the right”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 46

8. If an officer tells you to stop on a green light, you must stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “For example, if the light is green and an officer tells you to stop, YOU MUST STOP.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 46

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Utah practice test

1. 1. What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean in Utah?

   1. Stop and wait for green
   2. Stop, then proceed as at a stop sign
   3. Slow down and proceed with caution
   4. The signal is broken; ignore it
   Show answer

   Slow down and proceed with caution. A flashing yellow light is a caution signal, usually shown to the main road while the cross street sees flashing red. You do not have to stop, but the handbook says to slow down and proceed with caution, looking both ways because cross traffic will be entering after their stop. Waiting for green is pointless since a flashing signal does not cycle, the stop then proceed rule belongs to flashing red, and a flashing signal is not a broken one. Cover the brake and expect cross traffic to misjudge the gap.

2. 2. What does a flashing yellow arrow signal permit at a Utah intersection?

   1. A protected turn with no yielding
   2. Turns, but only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
   3. Straight through travel only
   4. No movement until the arrow turns green
   Show answer

   Turns, but only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The flashing yellow arrow is the permissive turn indication. The handbook says turns are permitted, but first you must yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. It is not the protected green arrow, it does not restrict you to going straight, and you do not have to wait for a green arrow if the way is clear. Creep forward, wait for a safe gap, and complete the turn only when no one has the right of way over you.

3. 3. The signal displays a red arrow for your right turn. What must you do?

   1. Remain stopped until an indication allowing movement appears
   2. Turn slowly because red arrows apply only to left turns
   3. Turn after a brief stop if no pedestrian is present
   4. Move into the crosswalk and wait for a gap
   Show answer

   Remain stopped until an indication allowing movement appears. A red right-turn arrow prohibits that turn until a signal indication permits you to proceed. The option to stop briefly and then turn confuses this arrow with the handbook permission for some right turns at a circular red light. Read the actual shape of the illuminated indication before deciding whether a turn is allowed. An arrow pointing right while glowing red is the cue to remain stopped, even with an apparently empty crosswalk.

Source: the Utah Driver Handbook, Section 9: 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.