# What to Do at an Intersection With Flashing Lights | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Why Do Some Intersections Have Flashing Lights? 2. What Does a Flashing Yellow Light Mean At an Intersection? 3. What Does a Flashing Red Light Mean? 4. Be Prepared To Encounter Flashing Traffic Lights 5. Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim ![What To Do At an Intersection With Flashing Lights](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/What-To-Do-At-an-Intersection-With-Flashing-Lights-300x169.jpg) Houston is home to [more than 78,000 intersections](https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Three-types-of-intersections-in-the-city-of-Houston_fig2_326826351#:~:text=There%20are%2078%2C372%20intersections%20in%20the%20city%20of%20Houston.) 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](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/) 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](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/houston-car-accident-statistics/). ## Why Do Some Intersections Have Flashing Lights? Some traffic lights at [intersections](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/intersection/) 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](tel:+17135005000) ## 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](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/tn/htm/tn.545.htm) 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](/contact-us/) 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](/contact-us/) Now ## Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![The 4 Most Important Safety Features For Cars](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-4-Most-Important-Safety-Features-For-Cars-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-4-most-important-safety-features-for-cars/) [The 4 Most Important Safety Features for Cars](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-4-most-important-safety-features-for-cars/) When shopping for a new car, people look for different things. 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