TIPS: What Do the Flashing Yellow Arrows at Apple Valley Intersections Mean?

A growing number of flashing yellow arrow signals are appearing at Dakota County intersections, as city and county engineers turn to them to help relieve congestion and increase traffic flow at heavily-trafficked intersections.

But what is the proper etiquette for a flashing yellow arrow?

The yellow arrows mean drivers are permitted to make left hand turns at intersections, but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before doing so, according to Dakota County officials. The flashing yellow arrow are typically installed where a more restrictive three-arrow signal would have otherwise been placed.

Drivers at a flashing yellow arrow intersection have more opportunities to make a left turn under the new signal than with a traditional red, yellow and green turn indicators. The arrow, county officials say, keeps the traffic flow safe during heavy traffic, but reduces the turning delay when traffic is light.

What do you think of the new signals? Are they helpful, or confusing?

County officials weigh traffuc volume, configuration, number of froadway lanes, available sight distance, signal equipment and other factors before deciding where to install flashing yellow turn signals.

Currently, the county only lists two such signals in Apple Valley; one at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and 153rd Street in Apple Valley and the other at the intersection of Cedar and 157th. Eagan, on the other hand, has a handful along Yankee Doodle Road, Pilot Knob Road and Lexington Avenue.

Correction: This article has been updated to correct an inaccuracy. There are currently two flashing yellow traffic signals located in Apple Valley.