An Oregon left-turn-only signal shows a steady green arrow pointing left. How does this change a left-turning driver's duty to yield to oncoming traffic, compared with a steady green circular light?
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A.
Nothing changes; you still must yield to oncoming traffic under both signals.
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B.
You have the right of way and do not yield to oncoming traffic. Correct
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C.
You must come to a complete stop before proceeding through the turn.
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D.
Oncoming traffic also has a green signal, so you must still yield to it.
The answer is "You have the right of way and do not yield to oncoming traffic."
A steady green arrow is a protected movement: oncoming and conflicting traffic are held by their own red, and the manual states you have the right of way for the movement the arrow indicates. A steady green circular ("green ball") is permissive: the movement is allowed, but a left-turning driver must still yield to oncoming traffic. That is the difference the question is testing, and it is why the green arrow lets you complete the left turn without waiting for a gap in oncoming cars.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Nothing changes; you still must yield to oncoming traffic under both signals.
The green arrow is a protected movement and gives you the right of way for the indicated turn; the green ball does not. Misreading: Treats the protected green arrow as if it were a permissive green ball, ignoring that the manual grants the arrow driver the right of way for the indicated movement.
C. You must come to a complete stop before proceeding through the turn.
Stop-and-remain-stopped is the rule for a steady red arrow, not a steady green arrow, which authorizes the indicated movement. Misreading: Confuses the steady green arrow with the steady red arrow rule ('a steady red arrow means stop and remain stopped until the signal changes').
D. Oncoming traffic also has a green signal, so you must still yield to it.
That description fits a flashing yellow arrow, where the manual notes oncoming traffic has a steady green. Under a steady green arrow, oncoming traffic is held by red. Misreading: Carries the flashing-yellow-arrow rule ('Oncoming traffic has a steady green signal') over to the steady green arrow, which is a protected movement.
This question tests your knowledge of Traffic Signals in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Traffic Signals," p.16..
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