Traffic signals sometimes display arrows to control turns from specific lanes. A solid red arrow:
- Is never used as a traffic signal.
- Has the same meaning as a circular red traffic light. ✓
- Means that drivers may turn in the direction indicated by the arrow.
- Means that the traffic the arrow is pointing toward must stop.
Answer: B. Has the same meaning as a circular red traffic light.
A solid red arrow has the same meaning as a circular red traffic light: stop, and do not make the movement shown by the arrow until the light turns green, though limited turns after stopping may be allowed.
Why this is the answer
The handbook's red arrow rule tells you not to make the movement the arrow shows until a green light appears. It also lets you turn right after stopping when there is no NO TURN ON RED sign and the way is clear, and it gives a limited left-turn exception from a one-way street to another one-way street. Those are the same stop-and-wait rules that apply to a circular red light, so the red arrow means the same thing for that turn.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Is never used as a traffic signal. — The handbook describes red arrows as traffic signals, so they are used.
- C. Means that drivers may turn in the direction indicated by the arrow. — You may not simply turn in the arrow's direction on a solid red arrow; the handbook says to wait for green, with only specific after-stop turn exceptions.
- D. Means that the traffic the arrow is pointing toward must stop. — A red arrow does not make all traffic ahead stop; it controls the movement in the direction the arrow points.
Remember it
Match the arrow to the movement: red means stop that movement, not all traffic.