Unit 2: Section 3
Signals
Unit Overview
Some of the HTS is interactive and dynamic. This means that some of the roadway conditions
change on a regular basis. This is achieved through signals. Signals help to control the flow of
traffic. When obeyed they help everyone get to where they need to be as quickly and safely as
possible. You need to understand these signals and what they are telling you. This section
explains who has the right-of-way at signal controlled intersections.
Sign Starter Question
Every lesson has a reading assignment. There is an interactive portion that you need to complete
to get credit for your reading assignment. The first section of the interactive portion asks you to
identify the sign. There will be a sign identification portion on your written test that you will take
at the BMV. You must pass this portion in order to get your license. *If you are not sure about the
name of a sign, then check Indiana Driver’s Manual Chapter 4. What sign is this?
Stoplights
The first and most important signal is the stoplight. The way that a stoplight is handled
depends on the direction that you are traveling. There are three possible directions of travel
through a light: straight, right, and left.
Going Straight at a Light:
A green light means that you have the right-ofway. Proceed with caution through the light if
the intersection is clear of pedestrians and
vehicles.
A pink car and a red car are both going
straight through this intersection. Therefore,
they should both have the right of way.
A yellow light means that your right-of-way is
ending. If you are able to stop safely, then
you should slow and prepare to stop at the
red light.
A red light means to stop. In no instance are
you allowed to proceed straight through a red
light. This means that the green car does not
have the right of way.
Turning Right at a Light:
A green light means that you have the right-of-way.
Proceed with caution through the light if the
intersection is clear of pedestrians and vehicles.
A red light means to STOP. After you have stopped
at the red light, the law allows you turn right only if:
-Your path is free of pedestrians
-There are no cars entering your path
-You are able to see traffic clearly
-There is not a “No Turn on Red” sign
*Turning right on red can be dangerous. Proceed
carefully.
In the picture to the right, the red car has the right of
way, because his path is free of traffic. The tan car
does not have the right-of-way, because the pink car
is approaching. Neither car should turn if there were
pedestrians in the crosswalks.
Turning Left at a Light:
A green light does not necessarily give you the
right-of-way to turn left. When turning left, you
only have the right-of-way if there is no oncoming
traffic.
A red light means to stop. In no instance are you
allowed to turn left at a red light.
A pink car is turning left at left at a green light.
The pink car does not have the right of way,
because there is a purple car in its path. There is
also a red car behind the purple car. Therefore,
the pink car won’t have the right of way until its
path is entirely clear.
The green car is trying to turn left, but it has a red
light. It will not have the right of way until its light
turns green.
Turn Arrows:
A green turn arrow means that you have the right of way. Proceed through the light if the
intersection is clear of pedestrians and vehicles.
A yellow turn arrow means that your right-of-way is ending. If you are able to stop safely, then
you should slow and prepare to stop at the red light.
Flashing Lights:
Another type of signal that you are likely to see is the flashing light. There are two types of
flashing lights: red flashing lights and yellow flashing lights. Red flashing lights should be treated
like a stop sign. Yellow flashing lights mean that you should proceed through an intersection with
caution.
Ask Your Parents
Turning left at a light can be tricky, especially at a busy intersection. Ask your parents if they
have any advice for turning left at a busy light.
Right of Way Quiz
Every lesson has a reading assignment. There is an interactive portion that you need to complete
to get credit for your reading assignment. Each interactive portion has a question about the Right
of Way Quiz. To get credit for this question you must identify the color of the car that has the
right of way in the following example.
A pink and a blue car both stop at a stop sign at approximately the same time. The pink car is
turning left, and the blue car is turning right. Who has the right of way?