When approaching a steady yellow traffic light, drivers should:
- Accelerate to avoid a red light.
- Continue driving, as they have the right-of-way.
- Slow to a stop, unless they are already within the intersection. ✓
- Check to see what the cars next to them are doing.
Answer: C. Slow to a stop, unless they are already within the intersection.
When approaching a steady yellow light, slow to a stop unless you are already within the intersection.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says a steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. It tells you to stop before entering the nearest crosswalk if you can do so safely. If a safe stop cannot be made, you may proceed cautiously through the intersection before the light changes. That supports slowing to stop when you can, and continuing cautiously when you are already in the intersection and stopping safely is not possible.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Accelerate to avoid a red light. — The handbook describes yellow as a caution warning and says to stop if you can do so safely, not to speed up to beat the red.
- B. Continue driving, as they have the right-of-way. — A steady yellow light does not give you the right-of-way; the handbook says you must stop before entering the nearest crosswalk if a safe stop can be made.
- D. Check to see what the cars next to them are doing. — The handbook tells you to respond to the yellow signal by stopping safely if possible, not to base your action on what nearby cars are doing.
Remember it
If you are already past the crosswalk when it turns yellow, continue cautiously; if not, plan to stop.
Official handbook: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), Chapter 4: Right-of-Way , p. 25