Forsyth Intersection Gets New Type of Turn Signal Tuesday

The county's second four-section flashing yellow traffic signal is expected to be be installed and operational by Tuesday afternoon at State Route 9 and Majors/Shiloh Roads.

The first flashing yellow arrow was operational at State Route 9 and Castleberry Road/Carolene Way on February 25.

The signals are part of a Georgia Department of Transportation initiative to improve safety and enhance traffic flow for left turn lanes.

The new traffic lights are called Four-Section Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) signals as the FYA signals will apply exclusively to drivers making left turns. The signal will be a vertical display of four left turn arrows functioning as follows:  

- When solid Red arrow is illuminated, no left turn is allowed;
- When solid Yellow arrow is displayed, drivers should prepare to stop as light is about to turn red;
- When flashing Yellow arrow is illuminated, drivers may turn left but must yield to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles; and
- When solid Green arrow is displayed, drivers may turn left.

Federal Highway Administration studies have shown these signals help reduce crashes of left-turning vehicles by as much as 35 percent. 

The FYA also offers clearer guidance to drivers turning left and allows them more movement through the intersection when no pedestrians or oncoming traffic are present, thereby reducing back-ups, engine idling and auto emissions.  

During heavy traffic volume the traffic signal may skip the flashing yellow phase to increase safety at the intersection. It is important that drivers not try to anticipate what the traffic signal is about to do; just “drive and obey the signal.” 

If the traffic signal has a malfunction the left turn will flash red. As with all signalized intersections, a flashing red is treated as a stop condition and flashing yellow is treated as proceed with caution. If all indications at an intersection are flashing red or the intersection is dark it should be treated as a four-way stop.  

For more information on the Georgia Department of Transportation, visit www.dot.ga.gov.

- GDOT supplied information for this story.