What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?
- Merging traffic
- Proceed with caution. ✓
- Pedestrian crossing
- Come to a full stop.
Answer: B. Proceed with caution.
A flashing yellow light means you should slow down and proceed with caution.
Why this is the answer
The handbook's section on signals describes a flashing yellow light as a warning to drivers to slow down and move through with caution. That matches the idea of staying alert and being ready for something unexpected, rather than stopping or speeding up. Notice this is different from a steady yellow light, which tells you the light is about to turn red and that you must stop before the crosswalk if you can do so safely, going through cautiously only when a stop is not safe.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Merging traffic — Nothing in the handbook connects a flashing yellow light to merging traffic; it is a general warning to slow down and be careful.
- C. Pedestrian crossing — The passages do not say a flashing yellow light announces a pedestrian crossing; it warns you to slow down and proceed with caution.
- D. Come to a full stop. — A full stop is not required by a flashing yellow light; the handbook ties stopping to the steady yellow light, where you stop before the crosswalk if you can do so safely.
Remember it
Flashing means slow and look; steady yellow means the light is about to turn red, so get ready to stop.
Official handbook: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), Chapter 4: Right-of-Way , p. 25