What’s with the new left-turn yield arrows around Modesto? Here’s what the city told us
Have you noticed a new addition to a handful of intersections across Modesto?
A Reddit user, flannelfotogravy, took to the forum to ask Modesto residents: “Does anyone know why they’re replacing the green left turn arrows for yellow blinking arrows?”
“I personally feel like they’re making things more dangerous. It’s hard to tell when they switch to a solid yellow,” the user wrote in the post. “I’m curious if there are some actual benefits that will come over time.”
Here’s what the city told us about the new addition:
Why is the city making this change?
According to a news release from the city of Modesto in October 2022, the new signals have been installed “to minimize delay and improve traffic flow by providing more opportunities for motorists to make safe left turns.”
National studies have found that intersections with “flashing yellow arrow signals have 35% fewer crashes” compared to other intersections, the release says.
“The city has implemented these improvements to promote safety of the traveling public, specifically in permissive left-turn movements,” Sonya Severo, a city spokeswoman, said.
When did Modesto start adding the new traffic signals?
According to the news release, the project to change out the “protected/permissive left turn signal lights from a five-section light configuration to a four-section configuration” started in early spring last year.
“The four-section configuration features a flashing yellow arrow in addition to the standard red, yellow, and green arrows,” the release says.
The project was expected to be complete last summer, but Severo said the project is still active.
Once the project is done, she said, 26 intersections across Modesto are expected to include the flashing yellow arrows.
However, no date was given on when that will be.
“Flashing yellow arrows will not be implemented at every intersection,” Severo said.
Where might I find a new traffic signal?
“Each improvement is not isolated to any specific locations in Modesto,” Severo wrote in an email to The Modesto Bee. “We are installing corridor by corridor.”
Though exact locations were not given for the intersections implementing the new flashing yellow arrows, she said they are being installed at intersections that currently allow permissive left turns.
A drive down Tully Road on Thursday afternoon showed them active at most intersections with traffic signals, at least south of Standiford Avenue and north of North Ninth Street.
“Intersection improvements for retroreflective backplates will eventually include all traffic signals the City of Modesto has jurisdiction over,” Severo wrote.
How do flashing yellow arrow signals operate?
When approaching a flashing yellow arrow signal, drivers can make a left turn as long as it is safe to do so, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
“You can turn, but your turn is not protected from other traffic,” the DMV website says. “Proceed to turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and proceed with caution.”
This story was originally published March 14, 2024 at 2:02 PM.
