A new style of traffic signal is being installed in Wisconsin to help motorists make left turns more safely.
DOT traffic engineer Joanna Bush says the federal Highway Administration has been studying the situation for the past decade. She says they determined the traditional “green ball” traffic light in the left turn lane confused many drivers, who believed it gave them the right to go instead of yielding to oncoming traffic.
Bush says they tested several different configurations before coming up with a new style of traffic light that uses a flashing yellow arrow to tell motorists they can turn left, after they’ve determined there’s no oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
Bush says some of the new lights have been installed around Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire, and Appleton. However, she says the budget is not there yet to implement them statewide. So, they will likely be phased in as road improvements are made over the next decade.