Blinking Yellow Arrows in the Metro Area (Hillsboro: live, dangerous)

[figmalt]

Just wanted to say that I'm loving the blinking yellow arrows that the city of Hillsboro has installed on several stop lights. I think it has really helped the flow of traffic (especially for those turning left). The only bad thing is I don't always expect cars to turn left in front of me when I have the green. I guess that means I need to be more alert!

[PNW-type-gal]

Those left-turn arrows are pretty common in the state. Even my small town has them along the busiest street. Much better than having to wait for the light to cycle, especially when there isn't any traffic coming.

[Bluesmama]

Yes, one of those lights is in an intersection almost right across our house. It is nice, isn't it?

I did notice yesterday, as I started crossing at my 'Walk' signal, that the yellow arrow to turn into the street I was on, was also flashing. . . Something else that the driver has to pay attention to.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Bluesmama

I did notice yesterday, as I started crossing at my 'Walk' signal, that the yellow arrow to turn into the street I was on, was also flashing. . . Something else that the driver has to pay attention to.

This happens all the time. I am not fond of those lights. Whoever dreamed then up must have assumed that drivers would look out for pedestrians but they often don't.

[davemess10]

So my question is why are those yellow arrows needed at all. In my mind, there should be green arrows only, and then when the arrow is done it turns to a regular green light and the left turner has to yield to other traffic. I don't get controlled intersections with red arrows? I mean, there are so many other laws and rules that we are trusted (as drivers) to follow, why are we not trusted with making a good decision as to when it is safe to make a left turn?

How many times have you sat in a turn lane with a red arrow, when it was perfectly safe for you to make the turn?

[juggler]

Originally Posted by davemess10

why are we not trusted with making a good decision as to when it is safe to make a left turn?

Apparently because some people just aren't smart enough , at least at this particular intersection.

FWIW, I would favor FYA (flashing yellow arrows) at just about every intersection as well.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by davemess10

So my question is why are those yellow arrows needed at all. In my mind, there should be green arrows only, and then when the arrow is done it turns to a regular green light and the left turner has to yield to other traffic. I don't get controlled intersections with red arrows? I mean, there are so many other laws and rules that we are trusted (as drivers) to follow, why are we not trusted with making a good decision as to when it is safe to make a left turn?

How many times have you sat in a turn lane with a red arrow, when it was perfectly safe for you to make the turn?

I think the point of the flashing yellow is to remind drivers that the left turn does not have right-of-way, whereas, in MOST circumstances, a green light indicates right-of-way.

[davemess10]

Do they not teach that in Oregon (that left turns yield at a light)? It's kind of common knowledge everywhere else.

I just have trouble believing that many people would be making crazy lefts in front of oncoming traffic.

Seems like the protected red arrows are a more recent things in cities in the US.

[Troubleshooter]

The purpose of the flashing yellow arrow is to eliminate a dangerous condition called yellow trap.

Yellow trap occurs when both directions of a street have left turns being made on circular greens, and then one direction changes to yellow, but the other direction remains green. A left-turning driver receiving that yellow does not know the other direction still has a green, so he turns across live traffic, causing an accident.

The flashing yellow arrow fixes this. It allows the permissive left turn to continue while the straight ahead signals are red, until the opposing direction receives its yellow light.

[Troubleshooter]

The point of the flashing yellow arrow is not intended to be a change for the left turning driver.

The point is that the circular green and the flashing yellow arrow give very different meanings to those who are not turning left.

The flashing yellow arrow allows the straight and left turn movements to be stopped at different times in the signal cycle. This allows many solutions that could not be done with the circular green as the only permissive left turn indication.