As you near an intersection, the traffic light changes from green to yellow. Your best action is to:
- Speed up to beat the red light.
- Apply the brakes sharply to stop.
- Be prepared to stop in the center of the intersection.
- Be prepared to stop before the intersection. ✓
Answer: D. Be prepared to stop before the intersection.
Be prepared to stop before the intersection when the light turns yellow.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says a steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. You must stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop safely, you may proceed cautiously through the intersection before the light turns red. That makes preparing to stop before the intersection the right action, rather than speeding up or planning to stop inside the intersection.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Speed up to beat the red light. — Trying to beat the red light is the kind of reckless crossing the handbook warns about; a yellow light calls for caution, not speeding up.
- B. Apply the brakes sharply to stop. — The handbook says to stop if you can do so safely, not to use sharp braking; you prepare to stop before the intersection when it is safe.
- C. Be prepared to stop in the center of the intersection. — The handbook says to stop before entering the nearest crosswalk or intersection, so stopping in the center of the intersection is not the rule.
Remember it
Yellow means get ready to stop, not get ready to go faster.
Official handbook: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), Chapter 4: Right-of-Way , p. 25