What to Do at an Intersection With Flashing Lights

Houston is home to more than 78,000 intersections of varying types. There are several ways of managing the traffic that flows through these intersections. Some are uncontrolled, meaning there are no signs or signals to direct traffic. Instead, vehicles approaching and entering these intersections must follow the state’s right-of-way laws.

Other intersections have lights or signs present and are known as controlled intersections. Drivers must follow the directions these lights or signs give or risk a car accident and citation.

Obeying these lights requires that you know what they mean. If you approach an intersection and ask yourself, “What does a flashing yellow light mean?” you could be placing yourself at risk of becoming a statistic.

Why Do Some Intersections Have Flashing Lights?

Some traffic lights at intersections change from green to yellow to red on a timer, remaining one color for a preset amount of time before switching to the next. Others have sensors in the street that detect the presence of vehicles. When these sensors detect a vehicle, they trigger the light to change from red to green.

Still, other intersections have lights that continuously flash yellow or red. This setup is common at intersections with light to moderate motor vehicle traffic. You might also see flashing yellow or red lights at intersections during power disruptions or inclement weather.

For a legal consultation call (713) 500-5000

What Does a Flashing Yellow Light Mean At an Intersection?

Imagine that you’re driving along a Houston road when you come across an intersection with a flashing yellow light. What do you do?

At an intersection, a flashing yellow light means the same thing as a solid yellow on a standard traffic light. You may continue along your way, but you must yield to any other traffic that has the right of way. There’s no need to come to a complete stop.

Even though you don’t necessarily need to stop before proceeding through the intersection, you must yield the right of way if traffic from another direction doesn’t have a signal. For example, if you approach an intersection and see a flashing yellow light, but the traffic on your right has no light or sign, you must yield the right of way to any cross-traffic you encounter.

What Does a Flashing Red Light Mean?

A flashing red light is your signal to bring your car to a stop. It essentially serves the same function as a solid red light or stop sign. You must bring your vehicle to a complete stop and yield the right of way to other traffic before proceeding along your way. This includes yielding to traffic that has a flashing yellow signal.

Let’s say you’re at an intersection with a flashing red light, and another car approaches from a different direction. This other vehicle also has a flashing red light. In this scenario, the intersection functions as a four-way stop. Both you and the other vehicle must come to a stop before proceeding in the order that you arrived at the intersection.

Click to contact us today

Be Prepared To Encounter Flashing Traffic Lights

Being familiar with the types of intersections you might encounter in Houston will prepare you to navigate them safely. Flashing red and yellow lights may seem unusual, but the rules that apply at these locations are relatively simple. A flashing yellow light indicates to slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution, while a flashing red light signals you to stop.

If you’re ever in doubt about what to do at an intersection, remember Texas’ rules of the road and right-of-way laws. Cautiously proceeding through intersections of any kind only when you have the right of way can help you avoid being involved in a crash.

Complete a Case Evaluation Form Now