Indiana · Handbook chapter 5 · 4 min read

Chapter 5: Traffic signals and right of way

Indiana traffic signals and right-of-way rules: steady and flashing lights, arrows, turns on red, stopping positions, yield signs, dark signals, all-way stops, pedestrian signals and hybrid beacons.

Why this chapter matters

Failure to yield the right of way is the most common factor in Indiana collisions. The exam tests what each light means and who goes first, so learn these rules exactly.

Steady lights

• Green: go, if the intersection is clear of vehicles and pedestrians.
• Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red and your right of way is ending. If you are too close to stop safely, you may complete your movement.
• Red: stop. You may not enter until the light turns green and the intersection is clear.

Turning

• A green arrow gives you the right of way to turn in that direction, if the intersection is clear.
• A plain green light lets you turn, but a left turn must yield to all oncoming traffic. Only one vehicle at a time may move into the intersection to turn left.
• A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn only after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

Turning on red

• Right on red: come to a full stop, check that no vehicles or pedestrians are in or about to enter your path, make sure there is no "No Turn on Red" sign, and use the correct lane.
• Left on red: allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after the same full stop and checks.

Flashing lights

• Flashing yellow: slow down and go through with caution. Cross traffic must yield to you, but still watch for vehicles and pedestrians. Left turns yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Flashing red: the same as a STOP sign. Stop completely, then go when it is safe. Where all directions stop and two drivers arrive together, the vehicle on the left yields.
• A rectangular rapid flashing beacon at a crosswalk flashes only when a pedestrian activates it.

Where to stop

At a red light or STOP sign, stop at the solid white stop line. If there is no line, stop before the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.

Motorcycles and bicycles at stuck signals

If a signal fails to change for a motorcycle, motor driven cycle or bicycle, the rider may go through a steady red after stopping completely for at least two minutes and using due caution. This does not apply to autocycles.

Yield signs

At a YIELD sign, slow down and be ready to stop for vehicles or pedestrians with the right of way. A driver coming from another direction with the right of way should not have to brake to avoid you.

Signals that are not working

Treat a dark (non-operating) signal as a stop: stop before entering, then go with caution after yielding to:

• cross traffic already in the intersection,
• any vehicle that stopped before you,
• a vehicle that arrived at the same time and is on your right,
• pedestrians.

Other right-of-way rules

• All-way stops: the first vehicle to stop goes first. If you arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the one on the right. If in doubt, yield.
• Alleys and driveways: stop and yield to traffic before entering the street.
• Police directing traffic: the officer's command overrides any signal or sign.
• Funeral processions have the right of way regardless of the signal.
• Pedestrians: always yield to them, and always yield to a person using a white cane or guide dog.

Pedestrian signals and hybrid beacons

• WALK or a walking person: pedestrians may cross. DON'T WALK or a raised hand: they should not start. A flashing message means crossing time is ending.
• A pedestrian hybrid beacon at a mid-block crosswalk stays dark until a pedestrian presses the button. It then shows flashing yellow, then steady yellow, then two steady reds (you stop while people cross), then alternating flashing reds (you may go if the crosswalk is clear), and then goes dark again.

Bicycle and transit signals

A signal showing only bicycle symbols controls a bike lane or path and applies only to cyclists. A signal with white bars controls a bus or transit lane and applies only to transit drivers.