stickmaker | What Does a Flashing Yellow Light Mean?

The city of Frankfort, Kentucky, recently made a change to the left turn signals on East Main Street/Versailles Road, by having the yellow blink when the dedicated left turn light isn't green or red. The vast majority of drivers understand that this means "You can turn left, but be careful."

Those who don't understand seem to fall into three categories: Those who think it means "Go ahead and turn left; you've got the light." Those who think it means "Stop until the green left arrow comes on." Those who think the light is broken.

So, it isn't necessary for those who understand what it means, and can make matters worse for those who don't.

You might think I'm inventing the problem, but I have heard in person and read in the paper dozens of complaints about the lights. Many of which clearly show that the complainer has no idea - or a very wrong idea - what the flashing yellow lights are for. This despite an article in the same paper on the change weeks before it was made. Also despite the meaning of the flashing yellow light being one of the most basic things a driver is supposed to know.

I don't know if there has been an increase of accidents along that stretch of road, but wouldn't be surprised.