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Question

Difficulty: MediumRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

You are approaching an intersection where your lane is controlled by a flashing red traffic signal, while vehicles on the intersecting cross street face a flashing yellow traffic signal. Which of the following statements describes the correct right-of-way procedure?

  1. You must come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to cross traffic before proceeding when it is safe to do so.Answer
  2. B
    Cross-traffic vehicles facing the flashing yellow signal must come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to you.
  3. C
    Both directions must treat the intersection as a four-way stop and yield to vehicles arriving first.
  4. D
    You may slow down and proceed through the intersection without stopping if no cross traffic is immediately visible.

Answer

The driver facing the flashing red light must come to a complete stop at the stop line or crosswalk and yield the right-of-way to cross traffic facing the flashing yellow light, proceeding only when the intersection is clear.
A flashing red light carries the same legal obligation as a stop sign, requiring a complete stop at the stop line or crosswalk. Drivers facing a flashing yellow light are legally required to proceed with caution without stopping. Because cross traffic maintains continuous right-of-way, the driver facing the flashing red light must wait until all cross traffic has cleared before entering the intersection.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the legal requirement of a flashing red traffic light
Recognize that a flashing red light requires a mandatory full stop before entering the intersection, identical to a solid red stop sign.
Traffic law equates flashing red signals with stop sign controls.
2
Identify the legal requirement of a flashing yellow traffic light for cross traffic
Recognize that cross traffic facing a flashing yellow light is instructed to slow down and proceed with caution, retaining priority over stopping traffic.
Flashing yellow signals warn of hazards but do not demand a vehicle stop unless necessary to avoid an immediate hazard.
3
Determine right-of-way priority between the two approaches
Conclude that the vehicle required to stop (flashing red) must yield the right-of-way to cross traffic authorized to proceed (flashing yellow).
The driver with the mandatory stop requirement must wait for a safe gap in cross traffic.

Key Concept

Right-of-way priority at asymmetric flashing traffic signals
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Topics

Right-of-Way Rules at Intersections

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