A steady red arrow displayed on a traffic light means:
- Drivers cannot turn in the indicated direction. ✓
- Drivers may turn in the indicated direction after coming to a complete stop.
- Drivers may turn in the indicated direction.
Answer: A. Drivers cannot turn in the indicated direction.
A steady red arrow means drivers cannot turn in the indicated direction; the arrow is a stop signal for that turn.
Why this is the answer
The California Driver Handbook says a red arrow means STOP and tells you not to turn while the red arrow is showing. It also says to stay stopped until a green traffic signal light or green arrow appears. That is different from a solid red light, where the handbook allows a right turn after stopping unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. Because the red arrow applies to the direction it points to, the correct response is to wait, not to turn after stopping.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Drivers may turn in the indicated direction after coming to a complete stop. — A complete stop does not make a red arrow turnable; the handbook says to remain stopped until a green light or green arrow appears.
- C. Drivers may turn in the indicated direction. — A red arrow is not permission to turn; it means stop and do not turn in that direction.
Remember it
Red arrow, no go that way until a green light or green arrow replaces it.