Flashing yellow arrow traffic signals feature a flashing yellow arrow in addition to the standard red, yellow and green arrows. When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow allows waiting motorists to make a left-hand turn after yielding to oncoming traffic. Otherwise, the new traffic signals work the same as traditional signals.

Safer
Flashing yellow arrow signals have been shown to help drivers make fewer mistakes. They keep motorists safer during heavy traffic and reduce delays when traffic is light. A national study demonstrated that drivers found flashing yellow left-turn arrows more understandable than traditional yield-on-green indications (individual traffic signal lights).

Less delay
There are more opportunities to make a left turn with the flashing yellow left-turn arrow than with the traditional three-arrow, red, yellow and green indications.

More flexibility
The new traffic signals provide traffic engineers with more options to handle variable traffic volumes. A flashing yellow arrow signal has the same meaning it always has: left turns may proceed with caution after yielding to oncoming traffic. Use of the flashing yellow arrow has been shown to have several benefits including minimizing delays and enhancing safety by reducing driver errors.

Where it's used
The flashing yellow arrow may be used at any intersection at any time, but the most typical use will be at intersections and times of day that have lower volumes, lower speeds and other favorable conditions. In 2022, the Lake County Division of Transportation is installing signals with flashing yellow arrows at the intersections along the Butterfield Road corridor from IL137 to Allanson Road. Their performance will be observed and analyzed before implementing this type of signal at other locations in Lake County.