West Virginia Traffic signal decisions mix

You intend to turn right at a circular red light. No sign or officer prohibits it. What must you do first?

Correct answer: Stop completely, then yield to pedestrians and conflicting traffic before turning if safe.

A circular red requires a complete stop. Unless prohibited, a driver may then turn right cautiously after yielding to lawful pedestrians and conflicting traffic.

Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-3-5(c)(1)–(2). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

You approach a flashing red traffic light. What should you do?

Correct answer: Stop completely, then proceed cautiously after yielding as required.

Flashing red requires a full stop. After stopping, use the applicable right-of-way rules and enter only when safe.

Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-3-7(1). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

Your approach has a flashing yellow traffic light. What is the appropriate response?

Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution while checking the intersection.

Flashing yellow calls for caution, not a guarantee of a clear path. It differs from flashing red’s full-stop instruction.

Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-3-7(2). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

The signal is green, but a police officer controlling the intersection directs you to stop. What should you do?

Correct answer: Obey the officer and stop.

An officer's directions take precedence over the traffic-control device. Stop when directed even though the signal is green.

Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-3-4(a); §17C-2-3(c). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

You face red on a one-way street and intend to turn left into another one-way street. No sign prohibits the turn. Which action is allowed?

Correct answer: Stop, yield to lawful traffic and pedestrians, and turn cautiously when safe.

The left-on-red exception is specifically one-way to one-way, after stopping and yielding. It is not a general left-turn permission.

Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-3-5(c)(3). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

Your circular light changes to yellow while you can stop smoothly before the intersection. What should you do?

Correct answer: Stop before entering rather than accelerate to beat red.

Yellow warns that red follows immediately. West Virginia's code says traffic must not enter or be crossing the intersection when red is displayed; stop when you can do so safely.

Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-3-5(b)(1). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

A green turn arrow is displayed with red, but a pedestrian is lawfully in the crosswalk you would cross. What must you do?

Correct answer: Yield to the pedestrian before making the indicated turn.

The arrow authorizes only its indicated movement, made cautiously after yielding to lawful pedestrians and other traffic in the intersection.

Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-3-5(d)(1). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗