These signals indicate lanes where you can and cannot drive during different hours of the day. These signals are used often to reverse a lane’s direction. They provide additional lanes for heavy morning and evening traffic.

Red X: Never drive in a lane marked with a red X signal

Yellow X: A yellow X signal means that you
should move out of the lane as soon as safely possible.

Green Arrow: You are permitted to drive in a
lane marked with a green arrow signal.

Green light or arrow: At a green light, you may go if the way is clear. At a green arrow, you may go in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear. If you are turning, you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection. If a traffic light changes from red to green while a pedestrian is in the street, allow the pedestrian to cross the street before turning.

Yellow light or arrow: A yellow light or arrow are cautions warning that the light is about to change. If you have not entered the intersection, stop. If you are already in the intersection, go through it. Do not speed up to beat the light.

Flashing yellow light: A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution. Flashing yellow lights are at locations with higher-than-normal hazardous conditions.

Flashing red light: At a flashing red light, come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. You may go when the way is clear. At a railroad crossing, you must come to a complete stop even if you don’t see a train.

Red arrow light: Virginia law prohibits right and left turns at red arrow lights.

Note: If you are traveling in another state, make sure you know its laws for right and left turns at red and red arrow lights.

At a red light, come to a complete stop before you reach the intersection, stop line or crosswalk. Remain stopped unless turns are allowed on red.

Right turn on red: At some intersections you may turn right while the traffic light is red. Before turning, you must come to a complete stop. Look both ways and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic. Be sure to check for less visible vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds.

You may not turn right if signs are posted at the intersection that read “No Turn on Red.”

Left turn on red: You may turn left at a red light if you are on a one-way street and turning left onto another one-way street. Before turning, you must come to a complete stop. Look both ways and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic. Be sure to check for less visible vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds.

Traffic signals apply to drivers, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, moped-riders and pedestrians.