9.2 Traffic Signals, Beacons & Pedestrian Signals
Key Takeaways
In Massachusetts a driver may turn right on red after a full stop, and turn left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless NO TURN ON RED is posted.
In Massachusetts a steady red arrow means the same as a steady red light for traffic in the arrow's direction, and the same turn-on-red rules apply.
A flashing yellow arrow lets a Massachusetts driver turn after yielding to oncoming traffic, which has a green light, and to pedestrians.
At a pedestrian hybrid beacon, Massachusetts drivers must stop when the two top red lights are solid, and stop and then proceed if clear when they flash.
When traffic signals are blacked out, Massachusetts drivers proceed as though there were a stop sign in every direction.
Students can often name the colors but misread turn-on-red rules, flashing arrows and beacons. The Manual describes each signal carefully, and each one is a possible exam question.
Motor Vehicle Signals
Traffic signals usually show three round lights, red, yellow and green from top to bottom. There are also single flashing lights, colored arrows and signals with 4 or 5 sections.
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Steady red circle | Stop. Do not go until green. You may turn right on red after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and vehicles, unless NO TURN ON RED is posted. You may turn left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding |
| Steady red arrow | Same as a steady red circle, but only for vehicles going in the arrow's direction. Massachusetts applies the same turn-on-red rules, though other states may not |
| Flashing red circle | Same as a STOP sign. Stop completely, at the stop line or crosswalk if marked, or otherwise where you can see traffic both ways. Follow right-of-way rules and go when safe |
| Steady yellow circle | The light is changing from green to red. Stop if it is safe. If you are already stopped at the intersection or stop line, you may not proceed |
| Flashing yellow circle | Warning. Proceed with caution, looking both ways |
| Flashing yellow arrow | You may turn in the arrow's direction when there is a break in traffic. Oncoming traffic has a green light, so judge the gap carefully and make sure no pedestrians are in your path |
| Steady green circle | Go, but first yield to vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians in the road. Enter only if you can get completely through; never block an intersection. Turning left on a green circle, yield to oncoming traffic |
| Green arrow | A protected turn in the arrow's direction. Pedestrians and oncoming vehicles should be stopped. Watch for turn-only lane signs |
Warning
Two Massachusetts-specific points: a red arrow does not ban turns on red here (the turn-on-red rules still apply), and a steady yellow does not let a driver who is already stopped go through.
Beacons for Pedestrians and Bicycles
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB)
RRFBs are activated by pedestrians, with a push button or a detection system, often at intersections without signals or at mid-block crosswalks. When activated, amber lights flash in an irregular pattern, and you must stop for pedestrians.
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)
A PHB works only when a pedestrian activates it:
| PHB display | Driver action |
|---|---|
| All lights dark | Proceed with caution |
| Bottom yellow flashing | Slow down |
| Bottom yellow solid | Prepare to stop |
| Top two reds solid | Stop for pedestrians |
| Top two reds flashing | Stop, then proceed with caution if clear |
Bicycle signals
Bicycle signals show steady red, yellow and green bicycle symbols. A green bicycle signal lets cyclists go through busy intersections while motor vehicles are stopped, protecting them from turning vehicles.
When Signals Don't Work
- Signals that are malfunctioning usually flash red or yellow. Follow the flashing-light rules above.
- If signals are blacked out and not working at all, be cautious and proceed as though there were a stop sign in every direction, going when it is safe.
Pedestrian Signals
Lighted crosswalk signals show white and orange WALK and DON'T WALK symbols, sometimes with a countdown timer. Pedestrians already in the crosswalk when the countdown reaches zero have the right-of-way.
Laws for drivers
- Yield to pedestrians entering or using a crosswalk in your path.
- Never let your vehicle block a crosswalk.
- Yield to pedestrians if your signal is red, or red and yellow.
- Never pass a vehicle that is stopped or slowing for a pedestrian.
- Yield to pedestrians when turning into a driveway or parking lot.
Laws for pedestrians
- Use a crosswalk if one is available.
- At signals with buttons, push the button and wait for WALK. Intersections without buttons give WALK automatically.
- Begin crossing only on WALK. On DON'T WALK, don't start; if already in the crosswalk, finish crossing.
- Stop at the curb and look left and right before crossing, especially for turning cars.
Section 13.2 adds the Manual's full rules for pedestrians: look left, right and left again, use the sidewalk, and walk facing traffic where there is none.
Signal Cues for In-Car Coaching
| Lesson moment | Coaching cue |
|---|---|
| Approaching a stale green | "If it turns yellow now, can we stop safely?" |
| Stopped first at a red, wanting to turn right | "Full stop, check NO TURN ON RED, yield to the crosswalk, then go" |
| Flashing yellow arrow for a left turn | "Oncoming traffic has a green. Wait for a real gap and a clear crosswalk" |
| Blacked-out signal | "Treat it as an all-way stop" |
| Mid-block flashing amber beacon | "Someone pushed the button. Stop for the pedestrian" |
Students often roll through right turns on red. Insist on a complete stop behind the stop line or crosswalk every time; section 11.2 treats turns on red as part of turning procedure.
A driver on a one-way street faces a steady red light and wants to turn left onto another one-way street, where no sign prohibits it. What may they do?
Turn left only if a green arrow lights at the same time
Turn left after a complete stop, yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles
Nothing until the light turns green, because left turns on red are never allowed
Turn left without stopping if no cross traffic is visible
A pedestrian hybrid beacon over a crosswalk changes from a solid bottom yellow to two solid red lights at the top. What must drivers do?
Stop briefly, then go even while pedestrians are still crossing
Proceed with caution because the beacon is only advisory
Stop for pedestrians
Slow down but keep moving if the crosswalk looks clear
A driver is stopped at the stop line when the signal changes from green to yellow while cross traffic is clear. What does the Manual say?
The driver may go through quickly because yellow allows clearing the intersection
The driver must back up behind the crosswalk to make room
The driver may turn right but not go straight
Stay stopped; a stopped driver may not go on yellow
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.