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Driving safety guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Traffic Light Meanings: Steady, Flashing and Arrow Signals
Most drivers know red, yellow and green. Flashing lights and arrows cause more confusion. The federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) sets out the standard meanings of traffic signal indications. Here is what each one means, in plain language.
Flashing redstop, then go as at a STOP sign (MUTCD)
Flashing yellowproceed with caution and yield (MUTCD)
Flashing yellow arrowturn allowed, but yield (MUTCD)
Flashing greenhas no meaning and is not used (MUTCD)
The short answer
Steady red means stop and stay stopped. Steady yellow warns that the green is ending. Green means go, but yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and vehicles in the intersection. A flashing red works like a STOP sign, a flashing yellow means proceed with caution, and a flashing yellow arrow means you may turn but must yield, including to oncoming traffic on a left turn.
Steady traffic light meanings
For drivers facing a steady circular signal, the MUTCD gives these meanings:
| Signal | What it means for drivers |
|---|---|
| Steady green | You may go straight, turn right or left, or make a U-turn unless signs, markings or other signals limit the movement. Yield to pedestrians lawfully in an associated crosswalk and to vehicles lawfully in the intersection. Turning left, also yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be an immediate hazard. |
| Steady yellow | A warning that the green or flashing arrow movement is ending, or that a steady red will be shown immediately after, when traffic must not enter the intersection. |
| Steady red | Stop at the stop line; if there is none, before the near-side crosswalk; if there is no crosswalk, before entering the intersection. Stay stopped until a signal lets you go, except for permitted turns on red. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 4A.03, read November 4, 2026.
Green, yellow and red arrows
An arrow applies to the movement it points to:
| Signal | What it means for drivers |
|---|---|
| Green arrow | You may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement the arrow shows, or another movement allowed by signals shown at the same time. Yield to pedestrians lawfully in an associated crosswalk and to vehicles lawfully in the intersection. |
| Steady yellow arrow | A warning that the green arrow or flashing arrow movement is ending. |
| Steady red arrow | Do not enter the intersection to make the movement the arrow shows. Stop as you would for a steady red, and stay stopped until a signal or other device permits that movement. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 4A.03, read November 4, 2026.
What flashing traffic lights mean
The MUTCD gives these meanings for flashing signals on an approach to an intersection:
| Signal | What it means for drivers |
|---|---|
| Flashing red | Stop at the stop line; if there is none, before the near-side crosswalk; if there is no crosswalk, at the point nearest the cross street where you can see approaching traffic. Then go only under the rules that apply after a stop at a STOP sign. |
| Flashing red arrow | If you intend to turn in the direction of the arrow, stop the same way. The turn is then limited to that direction and follows the rules that apply after a stop at a STOP sign. |
| Flashing yellow | You may cautiously enter the intersection to go straight or turn, unless signs, markings or other signals limit the movement. Yield to pedestrians lawfully in an associated crosswalk and to vehicles lawfully in the intersection. Turning left, also yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be an immediate hazard. |
| Flashing green | Has no meaning and shall not be used. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 4A.04, read November 4, 2026.
The flashing yellow arrow
A flashing yellow arrow, shown alone or with another signal, permits you to cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement the arrow shows, or another movement allowed by signals shown at the same time.
It is not a protected turn. You must yield to pedestrians lawfully in an associated crosswalk and to other vehicles lawfully in the intersection. When the arrow points left, or you are making a U-turn to the left, you must also yield to vehicles coming from the opposite direction that are close enough to be an immediate hazard.
Our advice: treat a flashing yellow arrow like a green light without a green arrow. Wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic and check the crosswalk before you turn.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 4A.04, read November 4, 2026. The advice in the last paragraph is our own.
Turning on a red light
Under the MUTCD meanings, unless a traffic control device prohibits a turn on red or a steady red arrow is shown, traffic facing a steady circular red may enter the intersection to turn right, or to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street, after stopping. The right to make the turn is subject to the rules that apply after stopping at a STOP sign.
If a device is in place that permits a turn on a steady red arrow, you may make the arrow's movement after stopping, only in the arrow's direction and under the same STOP sign rules.
The MUTCD notes that the Uniform Vehicle Code is the primary source for these signal meanings. For more on driving after dark, see our night driving tips.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 4A.02 and 4A.03, read November 4, 2026.
Walk and don't walk signals
Pedestrian signals tell people on foot what to do. Knowing them helps you anticipate who may be in the crosswalk when you turn:
| Signal | What it means |
|---|---|
| Steady walking person (WALK) | Pedestrians may start to cross in the direction of the signal, possibly in conflict with turning vehicles. They yield to vehicles lawfully in the intersection when WALK first appears. |
| Flashing upraised hand (DONT WALK) | Pedestrians shall not start to cross. Anyone who already started on WALK continues to the far side, or to a median or refuge island where a device directs. |
| Steady upraised hand (DONT WALK) | Pedestrians shall not enter the roadway in the direction of the signal. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 4A.06, read November 4, 2026.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 4, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Traffic light meanings FAQ
What does a flashing red light mean?
Treat it like a STOP sign. The MUTCD says traffic facing a flashing red signal stops at the stop line (or before the crosswalk, or where the driver can see cross traffic if there is neither), and the right to go on is subject to the rules that apply after stopping at a STOP sign.
What does a flashing yellow light mean?
Proceed with caution. Under the MUTCD, traffic facing a flashing yellow signal may cautiously enter the intersection, but must yield to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk and to vehicles lawfully in the intersection.
What does a flashing yellow arrow mean?
You may turn in the direction of the arrow, but the turn is not protected. You must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to vehicles lawfully in the intersection, and when turning left you must also yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be an immediate hazard.
What is the difference between a green arrow and a green light?
A green arrow lets you cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement the arrow shows. A circular green lets you go straight or turn, but turning left you must yield to oncoming traffic close enough to be an immediate hazard. With either, you yield to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk and vehicles lawfully in the intersection.
Can you turn right on a red light?
Under the MUTCD meanings, unless a sign or other traffic control device prohibits it or a steady red arrow is shown, you may turn right on a steady red after stopping, and turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street after stopping. After the stop, you proceed by the same rules as at a STOP sign.
What does a steady yellow light mean?
It warns that the green or flashing arrow movement is ending, or that a red will be shown immediately after it, when traffic must not enter the intersection.
Does a flashing green light mean anything?
No. The MUTCD says a flashing green signal indication has no meaning and shall not be used.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Signal meanings are from the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Revision 1 dated December 2025), read November 4, 2026. This page is a plain-language summary of national signal standards, not legal advice; state law sets the rules of the road where you drive. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Sections 4A.02, 4A.03, 4A.04, 4A.06), Federal Highway Administration, Revision 1 dated December 2025 (PDF updated February 12, 2026), read November 4, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 4, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 4, 2026