How to Handle a Flashing Yellow Light at an Intersection
Driving in Montana offers its fair share of wide-open highways and stunning scenery. But no matter how open the road may feel, traffic signals like flashing yellow lights help to keep everyone safe.
When encountering these signals, you might wonder how to handle a flashing yellow light at an intersection?
A flashing yellow light is different from a green or red signal. It carries a very specific meaning, and failing to approach it correctly can put you and others in danger.
What Does a Flashing Yellow Light Mean?
A flashing yellow light is a warning. It is not telling you to stop, but it is also not giving you the go-ahead to speed through the intersection without a second thought. According to Montana Code Annotated 2023, (61-8-209), this is your signal to proceed with caution.
Flashing yellow lights are usually installed in specific locations for a reason:
- Moderate traffic areas: These are spots where traffic is light enough that a full stop is not always needed. In these spots, drivers still need to pay attention.
- High-risk intersections: You might find flashing yellow lights in areas where accidents are more likely, such as near sharp curves, crosswalks, or intersections with limited visibility.
- Off-peak hours: At some intersections, traffic lights switch to a flashing yellow during early morning or late-night hours to allow smoother traffic flow when there’s less congestion.
In each case, the flashing yellow light serves the same purpose. They alert drivers to approach the intersection carefully, assess their surroundings, and proceed only when it is safe.
What Should You Do When You See a Flashing Yellow Light?
You will want to take a few precautions. This is not the time to speed through an intersection. When you see a flashing yellow signal, make sure to do the following every time you encounter one:
Slow Down
When you see a flashing yellow light, the first thing to do is ease off the gas. This is not the time to maintain full speed or rush through the intersection. Reducing your speed gives you more time to assess the situation. In turn, you can react to unexpected hazards and avoid collisions.
Scan the Intersection
Take this time to check for pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles in all directions. You should never assume that they will yield. Since Montana is home to various types of wildlife, you will also want to ensure no deer, elk, or other animals are crossing the road.
Yield When Necessary
If another vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian is already in the intersection or has the right of way, you must let them go first.
Proceed With Caution
Once the way is clear, continue through the intersection. However, you will want to stay alert. Other drivers might misinterpret the signal or fail to yield. You should always expect the unexpected.
Why Is It So Important to Follow These Steps?
The main reason for flashing yellow lights is safety. They are designed to reduce the likelihood of accidents in situations where drivers might approach an intersection too quickly or without enough caution.
Unfortunately, when flashing yellow lights are misunderstood or ignored, the results can be disastrous.
Common Causes of Accidents at Flashing Yellow Lights
Ignoring a signal or “running through” the intersection can lead to car accidents. Some of these causes of crashes include:
- Speeding through the intersection: Some drivers treat a flashing yellow light as a green light. In turn, they fail to slow down or check for hazards. This can lead to collisions with cross traffic or pedestrians.
- Failure to yield: If you do not yield to someone with the right of way, you could cause a collision.
- Distracted driving: A flashing yellow light demands your attention. Texting or adjusting the radio can keep you from reacting in time if you are distracted.
The Cost of a Split-Second Mistake
Even a minor lapse in judgment can have serious consequences. A car collision at an intersection can result in:
- Injuries: Whether it is a fender bender or something more severe, accidents at intersections are one of the leading causes of car accident injuries.
- Damage to your vehicle: Repair costs add up quickly. And if you were at fault for the accident, your insurance premiums could rise.
- Loss of life: In worst-case scenarios, failing to navigate a flashing yellow light properly could result in a fatal accident.
These flashing yellow lights are not just protecting yourself. They are ensuring the safety of everyone else using the intersection.
When you see a flashing yellow light, it is your signal to slow down, pay attention, and use good judgment. Everyone needs to follow the rules; if they don’t, they could be liable for any injuries, damages, and other losses related to the incident.
If you have been hurt in a car crash at an intersection or anywhere else in Montana, reach out to Western Justice Associates, PLLC, for a consultation.