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Traffic Signals and Street Maintenance

Introduction

Streets
	Maintenance Requests
	Overlay/Paving
	Snow Response
	Street Lighting
	Street Maintenance

Traffic Signals and Management
	Flashing Speed Zone Signs
	Flashing Yellow Arrows

Accident Reduction Program

Flashing Yellow Arrows

Bellevue is installing its first left turn signals with flashing yellow arrows in late 2010. Plans call for gradually adding the new signals to other intersections throughout the city.

Flashing yellow arrows mean that left turns are allowed, but drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The flashing yellow arrows can also be used for right turns.

A video of a flashing yellow arrow in action shows how it works, and a flashing yellow arrow illustration further clarifies the sequence.

While the new flashing yellow arrows will look a bit different to motorists initially, studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) suggest they increase safety because they are more effective at getting drivers to yield to oncoming traffic. The FHA has approved the use of flashing yellow arrows for nationwide use.

The flashing yellow arrow sequence is:

Solid red arrow: Drivers turning left must stop and wait.
Solid green arrow: Drivers can proceed with left turn.
Solid yellow arrow: Drivers prepare to stop.
Solid red arrow: A very short clearance interval where drivers turning left must stop.
Flashing yellow arrow: Drivers may proceed with left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Solid yellow arrow: Drivers prepare to stop.
Solid red arrow: Drivers turning left must stop and wait.

Contact Information

Traffic Engineering
450 110th Ave. NE
P.O. Box 90012
Bellevue, WA 98009
Contact: Mark Poch
Phone: 425-452-6137
E-mail: mpoch@bellevuewa.gov