Bill Davis wrote Road Runner, curious about flashing yellow right-turn arrows on some streets in Tucson.
"What is the significance of it when I'm making a turn on red?" Davis wrote.
The yellow right-turn arrow is similar to any other yellow light, meaning caution, said Michael Graham, Tucson Department of Transportation spokesman.
A yellow turn arrow, flashing or solid, right or left, also means to be cautious.
"The message to motorists is proceed with caution and watch for pedestrians," Graham said.
He cautioned motorists to look for pedestrians anytime there is a flashing yellow signal.
"The purpose of the yellow is caution through the intersection because there is potential pedestrian conflicts," he said.
People are also reading…
Davis also asked Road Runner to remind drivers of the rules at pedestrian crosswalks with red lights.
When drivers approach a pedestrian crosswalk with a solid red light, they should stop, just like they are supposed to at any other red traffic signal.
That part seems OK for most drivers. But when the red light starts flashing, Davis and others see many confused motorists.
When the red light is flashing, it needs to be treated like a stop sign, Graham said.
"A lot of people just roll right through without stopping," Davis said. "I've had a lot of times when I stop while it's flashing red and I almost get rear-ended. Or sometimes an ignoramus will honk, curse, and flip people off when the drivers are obeying the law by coming to a stop before proceeding through the pedestrian crossing."
Others notice people who stop and wait for the flashing red to turn completely off.
The bottom line is, when you approach a flashing red light or stop sign, at a crosswalk or otherwise, stop, make sure the way is clear, and then proceed, Graham said.
RoadQ
Question: Northwest Side resident Jack Gilbert wrote about a traffic predicament he couldn't solve.
"If one enters a detour around a construction project and is approached from behind by an emergency vehicle, there is no place to pull off, and there is a 25 mph speed limit, does one speed up to clear the area as quickly as possible, or continue at the speed limit until they can clear the way?"
The Tucson Fire Department wants people to safely move to the right so vehicles can pass on the left, said department spokesman Capt. Paul McDonough.
When that's not possible, such as the situation Gilbert describes, a driver should move forward out of the construction zone and then safely move to the right and stop to let the emergency vehicle pass without creating a traffic jam, McDonough said. But don't speed. "Crack a window and turn the radio down in case they're giving instructions on the PA," McDonough said. But no speeding.
