February 28, 2022
Flashing Yellow Arrows:
A Safer Signal In Lake County
Last week, the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) activated new traffic signals at the intersection of Butterfield Road and Allanson Road that have flashing yellow arrows, the first in Lake County to have this feature.
The activation is part of a project to install new traffic signals with flashing yellow arrows at seven intersections along the Butterfield Road corridor between IL 137 and Allanson Road. The project will also utilize a new Adaptive Signal Control Technologies system that monitors and continually adjusts the traffic signal timings to efficiently move traffic through the corridor. Work is expected to be completed this summer.
A decade-long national study by the Federal Highway Administration found that drivers have fewer crashes at intersections with flashing yellow arrows, and a study conducted by researchers at Bradley University found a 32 percent reduction in left turn-related crashes.
"Flashing yellow arrow signals have been shown to help drivers make fewer mistakes," said Jon Nelson, Engineer of Traffic for LCDOT. "They keep motorists safer during heavy traffic and can reduce delays when traffic is light."
When approaching a flashing yellow arrow, motorists must first yield to oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, then turn left with caution. Learn what you should do when approaching one of these signals by watching this video from the Illinois Department of Transportation or by seeing the infographic below.
Flashing yellow arrows can be found in Kane and McHenry counties, throughout areas of southern Illinois and in many neighboring states. LCDOT will be evaluating the new signals along the Butterfield Road corridor to see if flashing yellow arrows would be an ideal addition to increase safety and traffic flow on other roads maintained by Lake County.
For more information about flashing yellow arrows, visit lakecountyil.gov/FYA.
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