New Flashing Yellow Arrow Traffic Light On Western Street at Hillside Road/SW 58th Avenue

You might notice something new on the traffic light on Western St at the Hillside/SW 58th intersection.  The City of Amarillo has introduced its first "flashing yellow arrow light"!  Why?  That's a good question!

City of Amarillo's Community Relations Coordinator - Sonja Gross:

"This new signal head arrangement is the result of a Federal Highway Administration 10-year national study that concluded that flashing yellow left turn arrows prevent crashes and move more traffic through intersections. A nationwide standard, these new signals will ultimately be required at all intersections where there is a separate left-turn arrow.

Flashing yellow arrows for left turns will be phased in over time in Amarillo with normal maintenance and new roadway construction. These signals have numerous benefits:

How do flashing yellow arrow signals work?

Red arrow: Stop and wait. Do not enter the intersection.

Yellow arrow: Prepare to stop. The left-turn signal is about to change to red. Drivers should prepare to stop or complete a left turn if they are in the intersection and there is no oncoming traffic

Flashing yellow arrow: Yield to traffic and pedestrians. Drivers may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Green arrow: Left-turning vehicles have the right of way. Oncoming traffic has a red light.

Keeps traffic moving. Flashing yellow arrows reduce driver delay and wait time by as much as 28 percent over protected only phasing. These signals provide drivers more left-turn opportunities than traditional protected only left-turn signals. This reduces wait times and keeps traffic moving.

Safer turning conditions. Green means go, and many times motorists fail to yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. The flashing yellow arrow provides a more direct message and reduces driver confusion.

Environmentally friendly. Improved traffic flow with flashing yellow arrows reduces fuel consumption by 10 percent and vehicle emissions by 22 percent."

You can learn more about how these traffic lights function by hitting the button below...