Driving Test Practice

Traffic signals in Michigan

The What Every Driver Must Know shows or names everything on this page: 21 in all, on pages 49–51.

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  • RED light

    RED light

    [p49: "Red light means stop. It is at the top of a traffic signal in Michigan. Stop your vehicle behind the crosswalk or stop line."] [p50: "When the red light is activated, you must come to a complete stop. Check for cross traffic and pedestrians before proceeding when the light turns green or when turning right on red."]

    Manual page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)

  • YELLOW light

    YELLOW light

    [p49: "Yellow light means the signal is about to turn red. You are required to stop on a yellow light. If you cannot stop safely, do not speed up but drive cautiously through the intersection."]

    Manual page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)

  • GREEN light

    GREEN light

    [p49: "Green light means proceed with caution after checking for pedestrians and vehicles."] [p54: "Even if you have a green light, you must yield to people crossing the street or intersection."]

    Manual page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)

  • Left-turn doghouse signal

    Left-turn doghouse signal

    The 5-section-head signal or “doghouse signal” controls left or right turns at intersections. This type of signal has red, green and yellow lights along with a yellow and a green turn arrow. When the green arrow is lit, turning drivers have a “protected turn,” meaning all oncoming or conflicting traffic is stopped. When the green light is lit, you may complete your turn when oncoming traffic has cleared. [p50: "When either the yellow light or yellow arrow is lit, the signal is about to change to red and you must stop if you haven’t already entered the intersection or cannot safely stop. If you have already entered the intersection, complete your turn with caution after making sure traffic is clear."]

    Manual page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)

  • Right-turn doghouse signal

    Right-turn doghouse signal

    The 5-section-head signal or “doghouse signal” controls left or right turns at intersections. This type of signal has red, green and yellow lights along with a yellow and a green turn arrow. When the green arrow is lit, turning drivers have a “protected turn,” meaning all oncoming or conflicting traffic is stopped. When the green light is lit, you may complete your turn when oncoming traffic has cleared.

    Manual page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)

  • FLASHING RED signal

    FLASHING RED signal

    [p50: "A flashing red light means come to a full stop. Proceed when the road is clear."] [p30: "The intersection has a stop sign or a flashing red signal. You must come to a complete stop and check for traffic before proceeding."] [p31: "When stopping at an intersection with a stop sign or a flashing red light."]

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • FLASHING YELLOW signal

    FLASHING YELLOW signal

    [p50: "A flashing yellow light means proceed carefully through the intersection. Scan across traffic in both directions."] [p31: "At an intersection with a flashing yellow light."]

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • GREEN ARROW (right)

    GREEN ARROW (right)

    A steady green arrow means that traffic coming toward you is stopped and you may proceed with caution in the direction of the arrow. Yield the right of way to pedestrians in the intersection.

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • Left RED ARROW

    Left RED ARROW

    [Research from the Federal Highway Administration shows that by reconfiguring the signal arrows used for left turns, traffic moves more efficiently through intersections and the chances for crashes are reduced. The flashing yellow arrow left-turn signal head uses four separate lenses to manage traffic.] "A solid red arrow means you must stop. You cannot turn until the signal changes."

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • Left YELLOW ARROW (steady)

    Left YELLOW ARROW (steady)

    "A solid yellow arrow warns you that the left turn signal is about to change to red. If you are approaching the intersection, you must stop. However, if you are already within the intersection and there is no conflicting traffic present, you may complete your left turn."

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • Left FLASHING YELLOW ARROW

    Left FLASHING YELLOW ARROW

    [p50: "A flashing yellow arrow allows you to turn left when the oncoming traffic, which has a green light, is clear. Be sure that there is an adequate gap in the traffic and that there are no pedestrians or bicyclists crossing before making your turn."] [p30: "You reach an intersection with a flashing yellow arrow. Yield to traffic before completing your turn."]

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • Left GREEN ARROW

    Left GREEN ARROW

    "A solid green arrow indicates that oncoming traffic is stopped and you may turn left. Proceed with caution, always check for and yield to people in the crosswalk. At intersections with vehicle-detection cameras or in-pavement sensors, this sequence may be skipped if there are no left-turning vehicles present."

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • WALKING PERSON pedestrian signal

    WALKING PERSON pedestrian signal

    [Pedestrian signals are used to control the movement of people at specific crossing points along the road or at an intersection. Some pedestrian signals may have audible or visual countdowns indicating how much time is left before the signal changes.] "The white symbol of a walking person or the word “WALK” indicate that traffic must yield and pedestrians may cross. The signal will begin flashing when the time to cross safely is nearing its end. Any pedestrians in the crosswalk at that time should complete their crossing."

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • UPRAISED HAND pedestrian signal

    UPRAISED HAND pedestrian signal

    "The words “DONT WALK” or the red upraised hand means do not cross the roadway. If you are a driver, always yield to pedestrians."

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • Pedestrian countdown display

    Pedestrian countdown display

    Pedestrian signals are used to control the movement of people at specific crossing points along the road or at an intersection. Some pedestrian signals may have audible or visual countdowns indicating how much time is left before the signal changes.

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • WALK / DONT WALK pedestrian signal

    WALK / DONT WALK pedestrian signal

    The white symbol of a walking person or the word “WALK” indicate that traffic must yield and pedestrians may cross. ... The words “DONT WALK” or the red upraised hand means do not cross the roadway.

    Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)

  • Pedestrian beacon: dark

    Pedestrian beacon: dark

    [A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is a crossing device that alerts drivers to the presence of pedestrians. There are six steps to the signal sequence.] [figure legend: "DRIVE NORMALLY / ALWAYS LOOK FOR PEDESTRIANS"]

    Manual page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)

  • Pedestrian beacon: flashing yellow

    Pedestrian beacon: flashing yellow

    [figure legend: "SLOW DOWN / PEDESTRIAN HAS ACTIVATED THE PUSH BUTTON"]

    Manual page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)

  • Pedestrian beacon: steady yellow

    Pedestrian beacon: steady yellow

    [figure legend: "PREPARE TO STOP"]

    Manual page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)

  • Pedestrian beacon: steady red

    Pedestrian beacon: steady red

    [figure legend: "STOP FOR PEDESTRIAN"]

    Manual page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)

  • Pedestrian beacon: alternating flashing red

    Pedestrian beacon: alternating flashing red

    [figure legend: "STOP AND PROCEED IF CLEAR"]

    Manual page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)