Blinking yellow turn arrows (West: home, living, suburbs)

[grf430]

When I moved here last year, I was a bit thrown off the first couple of times I saw them.

I lived all over the country and it's always been: Green arrow - protected turn, green light - turn if you want, but yield, and red light - no turn.

[Lee W.]

I think when they put something new in place like that they should have signs or something to explain it until people get used them. It's confusing...and we don't really need more confusion on the roads.

[Troubleshooter]

Originally Posted by Lee W.

I think when they put something new in place like that they should have signs or something to explain it until people get used them. It's confusing...and we don't really need more confusion on the roads.

In most places, there is is a sign by each signal:

"Left turn yield on flashing yellow arrow"

[Bo]

TxDOT has announced that they're implementing the flashing yellow arrow statewide.

TxDOT Rolls Out New Traffic Tools to Increase Safety for Motorists, Highway Construction Workers

[mcferguson]

Originally Posted by Bo

TxDOT has announced that they're implementing the flashing yellow arrow statewide.

TxDOT Rolls Out New Traffic Tools to Increase Safety for Motorists, Highway Construction Workers

good.

[LovingSAT]

I do not like them.

[taraox]

More importantly, what the heck is with the lack of left turns at large intersections here??? Is it just me or is that super inconvenient? I lived in CA suburbs previously, so I think I got a little spoiled with all the perfectly planned out roads and intersections in the area I was living in... I don't really understand the roads here, I find it very confusing. My GPS constantly tells me to turn left but there's no left turn, only a turn-around thing halfway down the road. I noticed this specifically on the 281/Stone Oak area, and you can't just drive straight across Evans road.. you have to turn onto the 281, make a U turn at the turn-around, and then turn back onto Evans. I'm getting used to it, but it's crazy to me. Now I have to worry about blinking yellow lights too?

[TXStrat]

Originally Posted by taraox

More importantly, what the heck is with the lack of left turns at large intersections here??? Is it just me or is that super inconvenient? I lived in CA suburbs previously, so I think I got a little spoiled with all the perfectly planned out roads and intersections in the area I was living in... I don't really understand the roads here, I find it very confusing. My GPS constantly tells me to turn left but there's no left turn, only a turn-around thing halfway down the road. I noticed this specifically on the 281/Stone Oak area, and you can't just drive straight across Evans road.. you have to turn onto the 281, make a U turn at the turn-around, and then turn back onto Evans. I'm getting used to it, but it's crazy to me. Now I have to worry about blinking yellow lights too?

By way of explanation, the turn around/left turn lanes along 281 north of 1604 are relatively new. They were just starting to put them in when I got here in 2010 or so to relieve congestion along that stretch of 281.

TXHwyMan is probably better able to explain the method to the madness...

[jons_wifey]

Originally Posted by Bo

TxDOT has announced that they're implementing the flashing yellow arrow statewide.

TxDOT Rolls Out New Traffic Tools to Increase Safety for Motorists, Highway Construction Workers

ahhh crap!

[pobre]

Originally Posted by taraox

More importantly, what the heck is with the lack of left turns at large intersections here??? Is it just me or is that super inconvenient? I lived in CA suburbs previously, so I think I got a little spoiled with all the perfectly planned out roads and intersections in the area I was living in... I don't really understand the roads here, I find it very confusing. My GPS constantly tells me to turn left but there's no left turn, only a turn-around thing halfway down the road. I noticed this specifically on the 281/Stone Oak area, and you can't just drive straight across Evans road.. you have to turn onto the 281, make a U turn at the turn-around, and then turn back onto Evans. I'm getting used to it, but it's crazy to me. Now I have to worry about blinking yellow lights too?

While it may seem counterintuitive, trust me, it is MUCH faster than it used to be. You had to wait through a long light cycle, with about 4-5 different greens, until you could go across. And it was short. Yes, now you have 2 lights, but the total time is much less.