Lee County to receive new flashing yellow traffic signals

LEESBURG — Georgia Department of Transportation officials say Lee County residents can expect to see improvements in traffic safety and efficiency with the instillation of more flashing yellow arrow signals next week.

Flashing yellow arrow traffic signals are designed to reduce crashes and move traffic more efficiently.

The new traffic light activations will take place at:

— U.S. Highway 19 at Robert B. Lee Drive on Tuesday;

— U.S. Highway 82 at Doublegate Drive on Tuesday;

— U.S. Highway 19 at Cedric Drive on July 11;

— U.S. Highway 19 at Century Road on July 11.

Lee County activated its first flashing yellow signals last year.

A national study found that drivers made fewer mistakes with the flashing yellow signals than with traditional left-turn signals. The Georgia Department of Transportation has been phasing in flashing yellow signals for several years. Drivers will also see them in other states. The signal uses an arrow to display the type of left turn movement allowed:

— A solid red arrow means don’t turn left. Stop;

— A solid yellow arrow is a warning the light is about to turn red. Drivers should prepare to stop;

— A flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. This is a “permissive” turn. Oncoming traffic has a green light;

— A solid green arrow provides a “protected” left turn. Oncoming traffic has a red light.

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