Traffic signals flash red, not yellow, to warn drivers, NCDOT says

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the flashing yellow traffic light indicating a disruption at an intersection turns red.

The change, intended to improve safety, means all drivers must stop at an intersection if a traffic light malfunctions.

Currently, traffic lights flash yellow when they are not working due to an equipment failure or other problem, requiring drivers to slow down and proceed with caution.

The flashing yellow lights will turn red over the next year, prompting all drivers to stop. According to NCDOT, motorists should consider intersections as solid stops when signals are dark or flashing.

“We are making this change to improve the safety of our intersections and provide consistent indication when the signal is not operating normally,” said NCDOT’s Nick Zinser. “If a signal is in flashing mode or dark due to a power outage, it becomes a complete stop condition for vehicles and pedestrians.”