‘Flashing Yellow Arrow’ Signal Upgrade Scheduled for US 23/KY 680 Intersection at Harold

More upgrades planned at intersections throughout the year

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (March 12, 2024) – As part of a safety enhancement project, the Kentucky Department of Highways District 12 has begun implementing a new type of traffic signal to provide a safer, more efficient left turn for motorists. The flashing yellow arrow signal will replacethe traditional yield-on-green signals for left turns at signalized intersections.

Currently, there are approximately 24 intersections throughout the district that have already been converted.

This week, weather permitting, crews will replace the US 23/KY 680 intersection signal at Harold with a new flashing yellow arrow signal. Motorists are encouraged to pay close attention to oncoming traffic and use extra caution during this adjustment period.

Benefits of Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals
The new flashing yellow arrow signals are more intuitive to motorists. A decade-long national study by the Federal Highway Administration found that drivers had fewer crashes with the flashing yellow arrow signals than with traditional signals. They also help with traffic delays. Motorists have more opportunities to make a left turn with the flashing yellow left-turn arrow than with the traditional yielding left-turn indications.

What the New Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals Look Like
The new flashing yellow arrow signal is a four-section signal head that incorporates a green left-turn arrow display for protected left-turn movements and a flashing yellow arrow display for permitted left-turn movements. Here is a rundown of what each section means for motorists:

• Steady Red Arrow – Means stop. No left turns allowed.
• Steady Yellow Arrow – Means the left turn signal is about to turn red and motorists should prepare to stop. Do not enter the intersection if you can stop safely. Vehicles already legally within the intersection should complete their turn if no conflicting traffic is present.
• Flashing Yellow Arrow – Means that left turns are allowed, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. It also means that oncoming traffic has a green light, and you must determine if there is an adequate gap before turning.
• Steady Green Arrow – Means that you have the right of way to turn left. Oncoming traffic has a red light and must stop.

KYTC District 12 will be implementing these signals at more intersections over the next year throughout the district. Get up-to-date traffic advisories for KYTC Highway District 12 by going to https://www.facebook.com/KYTCD12 or sign up for alerts via email or text by visiting   https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYTC/subscriber/new and look for the list of District 12 counties. Check your spam filtering to assure Gov Delivery is on your