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Responding to Inoperative Traffic Signals
intersections When a traffic signal is not working due to a power outage or malfunction, drivers must treat the intersection as if it were a four-way stop. This is a critical safety rule to maintain order and prevent collisions when signals are out of service.
Key Rules
- ✓If a traffic signal is not working, you must treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
- ✓At a broken signal, come to a complete stop, yield to traffic on your right, and proceed cautiously only when it is safe.
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Understanding Red Traffic Light Signals
traffic signals Red lights and arrows are prohibitive signals requiring a complete stop. A solid red light means stop before the stop line or crosswalk. A flashing red light functions as a stop sign. A red arrow specifically prohibits movement in the direction of the arrow, even if the main traffic light is green.
Key Rules
- ✓A flashing red traffic light has the same meaning as a stop sign: come to a full stop and proceed when it is your turn.
- ✓A red arrow means you cannot go in the direction of the arrow until it turns green.
- ✓After a complete stop at a solid red light, you may turn right if not prohibited by a sign and the way is clear.
- ✓You may turn left on a solid red light only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a full stop and if not prohibited.
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Navigating Yellow Traffic Light Signals
traffic signals Yellow lights and arrows indicate that the signal is about to change to red. A solid yellow light means you should slow down and prepare to stop. A flashing yellow light means you should slow down and proceed with caution, yielding the right-of-way as you would at a yield sign.
Key Rules
- ✓A solid yellow light is a warning that the light is changing to red; you must prepare to stop.
- ✓If you are already in the intersection when a light turns yellow, you should continue through it at a safe speed.
- ✓A flashing yellow light has the same meaning as a yield sign; slow down and proceed cautiously.
- ✓A yellow arrow indicates the protected turning period is ending and you should prepare to stop.
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Proceeding on Green Traffic Light Signals
traffic signals A green light or arrow indicates you may proceed, but only when the way is clear. On a solid green light, you must yield to any vehicles or pedestrians already in the intersection. When turning left on a solid green light, you must yield to all oncoming traffic. A green arrow gives you a 'protected' turn, meaning you have the right-of-way.
Key Rules
- ✓A solid green light means you may go, but you must first yield to any traffic and pedestrians in the intersection.
- ✓When turning left on a solid green light, you must yield the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic.
- ✓A green arrow gives you the right-of-way to proceed in the direction of the arrow.
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Identifying Traffic Signs by Color
traffic signs Washington uses standardized sign colors to convey specific types of information. Recognizing these colors helps drivers quickly understand the nature of a sign. Red is for prohibition, orange for construction warnings, yellow for general warnings, white for regulations, and green for guidance.
Key Rules
- ✓Red signs indicate a prohibition or restriction, such as a Stop sign or 'Do Not Enter' sign.
- ✓Orange signs are used for construction and maintenance warnings.
- ✓White signs are regulatory and state the law, such as Speed Limit signs.
- ✓Yellow signs provide general warnings about unexpected road conditions, like a 'Slippery When Wet' sign.
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Right-of-Way Rules at Four-Way Stops
right of way At an intersection with stop signs in all directions, specific rules determine who proceeds first. The first vehicle to arrive and come to a complete stop has the right-of-way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
Key Rules
- ✓At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive and stop is the first to go.
- ✓If two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
- ✓Any vehicle turning left at a four-way stop must yield to vehicles going straight or turning right.
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General Intersection Right-of-Way
right of way Understanding right-of-way is essential for navigating all intersections safely. At a two-way stop, vehicles on the minor road must yield to vehicles on the through road. Critically, every intersection in Washington is legally considered a crosswalk, whether it is marked or not, requiring drivers to be prepared to yield to pedestrians.
Key Rules
- ✓At a T-intersection or two-way stop, vehicles turning onto the through road must yield to vehicles already on it.
- ✓Every intersection is legally a crosswalk, regardless of whether it is marked with painted lines.
- ✓Before entering an intersection, you must be able to see crossing traffic and have enough space to clear the intersection without blocking it.
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General Lane Rules and Driving Conduct
lane rules In Washington, drivers must adhere to fundamental rules for road positioning and movement. The standard is to drive on the right side of the road. On roads with multiple lanes going in the same direction, the right lane should be used for general travel, reserving the left lane for passing slower traffic. It is illegal and dangerous to use the road's shoulder to pass.
Key Rules
- ✓Always drive on the right side of the road, except when legally and safely passing.
- ✓On multi-lane roads, keep right except to pass, and do not exceed the speed limit when passing.
- ✓It is illegal to drive on the shoulder of the road to pass another vehicle.
- ✓It is illegal to back up on a shoulder or freeway.
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Work Zone Rules and Penalties
work zones Work zones, indicated by orange signs, are areas that require increased driver awareness. Motorists must yield to all highway construction personnel and their vehicles. To enhance worker safety, fines for traffic offenses are doubled when committed in a work zone where workers are present.
Key Rules
- ✓You must yield the right-of-way to any highway construction personnel or vehicles inside a work zone.
- ✓Fines for traffic violations are doubled in construction areas when workers are present.
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Proper Procedures for Making Turns
turning rules State law requires specific actions when turning. Drivers must signal their intent to turn at least 100 feet before the intersection. When completing the turn, you must enter the lane closest to the one you came from. For example, a right turn should be made into the right-most lane of the new road.
Key Rules
- ✓You must use your turn signal at least 100 feet before you turn.
- ✓When turning, you must enter the lane that is closest to the lane you are coming from.
- ✓Before making a turn, you must check for and yield to any bicyclists and pedestrians in your path.
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Using a Shared Center Left-Turn Lane
lane rules A shared center lane, marked with solid and dashed yellow lines, is designed exclusively for vehicles making left turns from either direction of traffic. It is illegal to use this lane for passing other vehicles or for through travel.
Key Rules
- ✓The shared center lane is reserved only for making left turns.
- ✓You may not use the shared center left-turn lane to pass other vehicles or as a regular travel lane.
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Obeying Directions from Authorized Personnel
sharing road In certain situations, directions from authorized individuals override posted signs and signals. Drivers must always obey the orders and directions given by law enforcement officers, highway construction workers (flaggers), and school crossing guards.
Key Rules
- ✓You must follow the directions of law enforcement, construction personnel, and school crossing guards.
- ✓The directions given by an authorized person overrule any traffic signals or signs at the location.