Rules of the road: Flashing yellow arrows

The flashing yellow arrow (FYA) is a signal used in many left-turn lanes in Columbia and across the country.

The Federal Highway Administration created it to reduce confusion, since some drivers mistook the old green signal as a full "go" and turned into moving traffic.

So what does it mean when you see a flashing yellow arrow? You may turn left only after yielding to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians. It's not a protected turn, because oncoming traffic still has a green light.

The federal government approved this signal in 2009 and Columbia Streets Division began adding them in the years that followed. Research shows intersections with an FYA experience about 25-35% fewer serious left-turn crashes.

Even after more than a decade, some drivers remain unsure of its meaning, sometimes incorrectly assuming that oncoming traffic has a red light.

When you approach an FYA:

• Be prepared to stop if needed and watch for pedestrians.
• Yield to oncoming traffic, which has the right of way.
• Turn only when you have a safe gap.

Many intersections that use an FYA include a sign that reads, "Left Turn Signal: Yield on Flashing Arrow."

But even without a sign, the rule is the same: the flashing yellow arrow is about safety, giving drivers flexibility to turn while keeping traffic moving smoothly.