Chapter 4: Traffic Control

regulation signs

gives info on traffic rules, direction, lane use, turns, speed, parking and other special requirements

warning signs

you are approaching a hazardous location or a location with special rules

destination signs

shows the direction and distance to locations

service signs 

shows the location of services like rest areas, gas stations, camping, or medical facilities

stop sign

come to a full stop, yield the right of way to vehicles and pedestrians in or heading toward the intersection

when to proceed at stop sign

when it is safe

stop before a stop line if…

it is present

if there is no stop line…

stop before entering the crosswalk

if there’s no stop line or crosswalk…

stop before entering the intersection at the nearest point with clear traffic view on intersecting roadway

yield sign

decrease speed as you reach the intersection

stop and yield the right of way to vehicles and pedestrians in or heading toward the intersection

you must come to a full stop at a yield sign if…

traffic conditions require it (always check carefully for traffic and be prepared to stop)

work area signs

people are at work on/near the roadway and traffic can be controlled by a flag person

speed limit as low as 25 MPH can be posted

in a work area, even if no speed limit is provided…

you must drive at a reduced speed through the work zone and always obey flag persons

route signs

indicates interstate, U.S., state or county routes

shape = type of route you’re on

use highway map for trips

left to right (top): U.S., interstate, and business

flagger signals

left to right: stop, proceed and slow down

state law requires that if traffic lights/controls are malfunctioning…

stop as you would for a stop sign, then continue according to the rules of right-of-way unless told to continue by traffic officer

steady red

stop; do not go until green light

when can you go at a red light

if a green arrow is shown with a red light, but only in the direction of the arrow and only if the intersection is clear (no cars/pedestrians)

NYC red light rule

❌ No turns on red.

✅ Exception: Only if a sign explicitly permits turning on red.

right turn statewide red light rules

right turn on red is allowed if

1.) you come to a full stop

2.) you yield to oncoming traffic

3.) you yield to pedestrians

4.) there is no sign saying “no turn on red”

left turn red light rules

niche and irrelvant at most intersctions; but allowed if:

1.) you stop completely first

2.) you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street

flashing red

same as stop sign; stop, yield the right-of way, and go when safe

red arrow

do not go in arrow’s direction until it goes off and a green one comes on

right and left turns not permitted

steady yellow

be prepared to stop; traffic signal is about to turn red

flashing yellow

drive with caution

yellow arrow

the protection of a green arrow will end

if you intend to turn in the direction of the arrow, be prepared to stop

steady green

go but yield the right-of-way to other traffic at intersection

green arrow

go in arrow’s direction but yield right-of-way to other traffic at intersection

lane use control lights

special above the pavement lights

sometimes used to indicate which highway lanes can be used at certain times

lane use control light meanings

steady red “x” = do not drive in this lane

steady yellow “x”= move from this lane

flashing yellow “x” = this lane can only be used for left turns

green arrow = you can use this lane

pavement markings

roadway lines/symbols that divide lanes

tells you when you can pass other vehicles and change lanes

edge and lane lines

solid lines along roadside

tells you where its edge is (where travel lane ends and shoulder begins)

It is illegal to drive across the edge line except…

when told to by a police officer or other authorized official/official sign

“road is narrow ahead” is displayed by what edge line

an edge line that angles towards the road center

white lines

divides traffic lanes moving in same direction

yellow lines

divides traffic lanes moving in opposite direction

shoulder

the strip of road immediately next to the travel lane that is not meant for normal driving

one broken line

you can pass other vehicles or change lanes if you can do so safely without interfering with traffic

solid line with broken line

side with solid line = cannot pass other vehicles or cross the line except to make a left turn into a driveway

side with the broken line = you can pass if it is safe to and you will not interfere with traffic

double solid lines

you can not pass or change lanes. You cannot go across the lines except to turn left to enter or leave the highway (e.g., to or from a driveway or to do a U-turn

one solid line

can pass other vehicles or change lanes only when obstructions in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary.

where do I stop at an intersection?

stop line present = stop before the stop line

no stop line, just a crosswalk = stop before the crosswalk

neither stop line or crosswalk = stop before entering the intersection where you can see traffic

when do I have to stop at a stop line or crosswalk?

Only when:

A STOP sign tells you to stop.

A traffic light requires you to stop.

A traffic officer directs you to stop.

You must yield to a pedestrian, in-line skater, or scooter rider at a crosswalk.

why are some stop lines set farther back?

to give large vehicles (buses, trucks, tractor-trailers) enough room to turn safely.

always stop before the stop line.

right-of-way

who gets to go first

when do you generally have the right-of-way

at a green light

You still must yield to:

pedestrians who are legally crossing,

emergency vehicles with lights/sirens,

vehicles already in the intersection

STOP sign right-of-way

If two cars stop:

The one that arrived first goes first.

If they arrive at the same time, the driver on the right goes first.

yield sign right-of-way

If you have a yield sign, you do not have the right-of-way.

Slow down and let other traffic go first.

left turn right-of-way

if you're turning left across traffic = car going straight usually has the right-of-way

The left-turning driver waits

what does a stopline tell you

where to stop if you need to stop

it doesn’t tell you to stop