What to Do at an Intersection With Flashing Lights
Suppose that you’re heading home in Louisville down Bardstown Road or crossing the Clark Memorial Bridge. You reach the next intersection, but the traffic light ahead isn’t showing the usual solid red, yellow, or green. Instead, it’s flashing.
Many drivers find themselves unsure of how to proceed in this situation. Here’s what you should do if you encounter an intersection with flashing lights in or around Louisville.
Flashing Red Lights: Red Still Means Stop
Red is a color most drivers associate with stopping, and, fortunately, red flashing lights continue this convention. Think of a flashing red light as meaning exactly the same thing as a stop sign. If you’re approaching an intersection and see a pulsing red light, you are required by law to come to a complete stop. Simply slowing down isn’t enough.
If there’s not a line painted on the road to mark the stop line, bring your vehicle to a full halt before you enter the crosswalk. If there’s no crosswalk, then stop before entering the intersection itself.
Once you’ve stopped, look carefully in all directions, just as you would at any stop sign. You need to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrians lawfully using the crosswalk and to any vehicles that are already in the intersection or approaching so closely that they could pose an immediate hazard.
When you’ve yielded and the path is completely clear, you can proceed through the intersection with caution. Treating every flashing red light like a stop sign can help prevent dangerous confusion and, by default, car accidents.
Flashing Yellow Lights: Slow Down and Use Caution
Flashing yellow lights can be concerning to encounter, but their meaning is generally straightforward: proceed with caution. Unlike flashing red, a flashing yellow light doesn’t mean you have to stop. But it does signal that you need to slow down and use extra vigilance as you approach and pass through the intersection.
You can think of it as a heightened awareness signal. Reduce your speed so that you have more time to react, and actively scan the intersection before you enter it. Look for any cross traffic coming from other directions — they might have a flashing red signal and could potentially pull out after stopping.
Also, check carefully for pedestrians who might be crossing. Ensure you’re aware of any unusual conditions or potential hazards.
While you generally have the right of way over those facing a flashing red, you still have a duty under Kentucky law to proceed with caution. This means staying ready to stop or yield if necessary to avoid a crash. Don’t try to speed up and beat the light; slowing down is the key to keeping yourself and others on the road safe.
Why Do Some Traffic Lights Flash?
You might wonder why flashing lights are used instead of regular traffic lights. Sometimes, flashing lights are put in use for a reason as simple as low traffic volume, such as during late-night hours. Other times, it might indicate that the normal traffic signal, or the road itself, is undergoing maintenance.
Staying Safe on Louisville Roads
Regardless of the reason that a flashing light is present at an intersection, the rules for drivers are consistent: treat flashing reds like stop signs and flashing yellows like caution signals.
Knowing what to do when you encounter flashing lights can curb hesitation and significantly reduce the risk of red and yellow light collisions — and the catastrophic injuries that can come with them. It’s a small bit of knowledge that can make a big difference in keeping Louisville’s roads safer for everyone.
Contact the Lousville Truck Accident Law Firm of HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in Louisville today. We have two convenient locations in Louisville and Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
We proudly serve Jefferson County, Kenton County, and its surrounding areas:
HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers – Louisville, KY Office
600 W Main St Ste 200
Louisville, KY, 40202
(502) 540-5700
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Fort Mitchell, KY, 41017
(859) 578-4444