Left turns are either permissive (no arrow), exclusive/permissive (allowing turns on gaps in traffic after the arrow expires, usually with a five-section display) or exclusive- only (no turns after the arrow expires, three-section display).
Additional: At those intersection controlled by green turn arrows - there is no uniformity among the states as to whether the left turn arrow leads the regular light sequence or follows it. That decision is usually left to the Highway Dept. traffic engineers.
More: The choice of leading left turn or lagging (following) left turn is not usually a policy of the highway department, but is an engineering decision made separately for each intersection. Often, to achieve signal progression (lights turn green as you come to them), the choice of leading or lagging left turn is forced by the progression plan. Often, to make the progression work better on a two-way street at a particular intersection, one direction on the street has a leading left turn, but the opposite direction has a lagging left turn. This way, the cars from each direction can arrive at this intersection at different times.
The lagging left turn has a disadvantage. If left turns are permitted on a circular green, a lagging left turn in one direction causes a hazard: One direction on the street receives circular yellow, but the opposite direction remains green. A driver receiving the yellow might turn left across live traffic moving on a green, thinking they will stop. To prevent this, either the signal with a lagging left turn must prohibit left turns on circular green, or use the new flashing yellow arrows.
A flashing yellow arrow display uses a flashing yellow arrow instead of a circular green, and has a 4-section display with all arrows.
when a green arrow points to the left :]When you are turning left as directed by a traffic signal left turn arrow.
Yes, I have seen them in various locations but usually only at high-volume intersections, and then - only when the left turn FOLLOWS the green bulls-eye.More: Every green arrow is required to be ended with a yellow arrow. Only if the green and arrow always end at the same time can a circular yellow end a green arrow.
yes you can if the signal shows full green for traffic proceeding the same direction your car is/was travelling - but you cant if the arrow is red. if there is no arrow it means that you can turn if you feel that it is safe to.
Turn left indicator signal flashes rapidly when I use indicator, bulbs ok, no lights working
The arrows indicate a direction of travel which is not permitted. For instance, if a signal is green, but is accompanied by a red arrow pointing to the left, it means that traffic making a left hand turn must wait until they get a green arrow.
Left turn
it is different for all intersections, sometimes it goes on while the light for the people going straight is still red and sometimes it goes on right before the light turns red
Not legally.
You can turn right on a red light and a left red arrow. If there is a sign that says "no right turn on red" or it's a right red arrow, you can't turn right.
That is a definite NO! The red arrow indicates that it is a left turn only light. If it's red, then you can't go.
You may turn in the direction the arrow is indicating. No other maeuvers are allowed.
It sounds like you have a turn signal bulb burned out. I would turn the 4-ways (hazard lights) on and take a walk around the car to make sure all of the lights that are suppose to be blinking are.