Traffic Signal Lights and Signs — Everything You Need to Know
Decode the messages of colors and shapes
Signal Lights
Red: Stop.
Yellow: Prepare to stop.
Green: Go.
Flashing red light: Come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
Flashing yellow light: Slow down and proceed with caution.
Flashing yellow arrow: You may proceed in the direction of the arrow after yielding to oncoming traffic.
Green arrow: You may proceed in the direction of the arrow. No other traffic is supposed to be in conflict with your turn — your turn is “protected.” You may still proceed once the green arrow turns off if you have a green light, but your turn is no longer protected. Other traffic may have the right-of-way, and you must yield.
Red arrow: You may not proceed in the direction of the arrow until it turns off. A flashing red arrow means that you must come to a complete stop before proceeding.
Signs
Red octagon: Come to a complete stop, and then proceed with caution.
Fluorescent yellow/green pentagon: Pedestrian crossing or school zone.
Yellow or white circle: Rail crossing ahead.
Yellow diamond: General warning about road condition.
White vertical rectangle: Regulates driving conditions and/or speed limit.
Brown horizontal rectangle: Public recreation or scenic guidance.
Red circle with white horizontal bar across middle: Do not enter.
Inverted white triangle with red border: Allow other drivers to go first (yield).
Horizontal blue rectangle: Directions to a hospital.
Yellow pennant pointed right: No passing zone.