GAINESVILLE - A new traffic signal on Dawsonville Highway west of Gainesville became fully operational this morning.
It is at the entrance to Olive Garden, Cheddars and Buffalos restaurants, south of Ahaluna Drive. That's also the intersection where Academy Sports and Hobby Lobby are under construction.
“The new signal features flashing yellow arrows on Dawsonville Highway. Flashing yellow arrows help drivers better understand when to make a left turn freely, when they should proceed with their turn cautiously, and when they cannot turn left. Our primary purpose is to reduce the often-devastating angle crashes that result when a left-turning vehicle is struck by oncoming traffic. Please be cautious until you get familiar with the changes. Remember, other drivers may be surprised by the new signal so give yourself plenty of space between you and the driver in front of you,” said Georgia DOT District Engineer, Brent Cook.
The new traffic lights are called Four-Section Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) signals that will be deployed at intersections with historic heavy left-turning traffic volumes. The FYA signals will apply exclusively to drivers making left turns. The signal is a vertical display of four left turn arrows functioning as follows:
· When solid Red arrow is illuminated, no left turn is allowed;
· When solid Yellow arrow is displayed, drivers should prepare to stop as light is about to turn red;
· When flashing Yellow arrow is illuminated, drivers may turn left but must yield to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles; and
· When solid Green arrow is displayed, drivers may turn left.
Georgia DOT officials say Federal Highway Administration studies have shown these signals help reduce crashes of left-turning vehicles by as much as 35 percent.
