Traffic lights and arrows

Key points

1. If a traffic light loses power or is not working right, proceed as if it were a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “If a traffic light loses power or is not working right, proceed as if the signal were a stop sign.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 32

2. On steady red you may turn right if safe and no sign forbids it, or left from one way onto one way.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “You can turn right on red if it is safe to do so and there is no sign prohibiting it. You may turn left on red if you are turning from a one-way on to a one-way street.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 32

3. When turning on red, stop first and yield to all traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “When turning on red you need to stop first, yield to all traffic and then proceed staying in your lane.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 32

4. A steady red arrow means come to a full stop and wait for the light to turn green.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Steady Red Arrow You must come to a full stop and wait for the light to turn green.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 32

5. Steady yellow: slow down and stop before the intersection. If you are already in it, keep going.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “The light is about to change to red. You must slow down and stop before entering the intersection. If you are in the intersection when the yellow light comes on, do not stop.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 33

6. Flashing yellow: slow down, check for cross traffic and proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Flashing Yellow Slow down, check for cross traffic and proceed with caution.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 33

7. Flashing yellow arrow: yield first before turning.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Flashing Yellow Arrow Yield first before turning and proceed with caution.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 33

8. On a steady green left turn, oncoming traffic has the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “If you are turning left, a steady green light means you may turn, but only when it is safe to do so. Oncoming traffic has the right-of-way.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 33

9. On a steady green arrow, still watch for pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “There should be no oncoming or crossing traffic while the arrow is green. Remember to watch for pedestrians.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 33

3 questions from the Wisconsin practice test

1. 1. How should a driver treat a traffic signal that has lost power?

   1. Use the shoulder to bypass the intersection
   2. Treat it as a green light if no cars are nearby
   3. Proceed as if the signal were a stop sign
   4. Wait until another driver enters first
   Show answer

   Proceed as if the signal were a stop sign. A dark or malfunctioning signal does not remove intersection control. Wisconsin says to proceed as if the signal were a stop sign, which means make a complete stop, assess the other approaches, and continue only when safe. Assuming green status risks entering against another road user. The shoulder is not a substitute travel path, and waiting for another driver does not satisfy your own duty to control the approach. If an officer is directing traffic, follow that officer instead of the failed signal.

2. 2. When may you turn right at a steady red light in Wisconsin?

   1. Immediately, without stopping if the road is empty
   2. After stopping first, yielding to all traffic, and confirming it is safe with no prohibiting sign
   3. Only after the light turns green
   4. Whenever a vehicle behind you honks
   Show answer

   After stopping first, yielding to all traffic, and confirming it is safe with no prohibiting sign. A right turn on steady red requires a full stop first. After stopping, yield to all traffic, check for pedestrians, and turn only when it is safe and no sign prohibits the movement. An empty-looking road does not remove the stop requirement, and a horn from behind cannot authorize the turn. Waiting for green is more restrictive than the handbook’s rule, but proceeding immediately is unsafe and unlawful. The study sequence is stop, yield, check, then turn while staying in your lane.

3. 3. What should a driver do at a steady yellow traffic light?

   1. Slow down and stop before entering if possible
   2. Accelerate so the signal cannot turn red first
   3. Stop in the intersection even after entering it
   4. Treat it exactly like a flashing red light
   Show answer

   Slow down and stop before entering if possible. A steady yellow means the signal is about to turn red. The driver should slow down and stop before entering the intersection when that can be done safely. Accelerating invites a late entry, while stopping in the intersection can obstruct traffic. A steady yellow is not governed by the same action as a flashing red, which requires a full stop before going on when it is safe. If the vehicle is already in the intersection, continue through rather than stopping there.

Source: the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Section 5: Signals, Pavement Markings and Lane Controls. 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.