That is nice to see teaching moments, you are right, you don't see that much anymore.

Green arrows here mean that YOU have the right of way. The green arrow means GO! When it is a yellow arrow or yellow round light, you must yeild to on coming traffic.

But it never hurts to look before you make any turns. There are lots of red lite offenders out there!

The purpose of the flashing yellow arrow is to give a permissive turn indication to left (or right) turning drivers without also giving a go indication for other directions.

Using a flashing yellow arrow instead of a circular green allows some new, more efficient traffic signal sequences that would be dangerous if circular green were used. It also allows progression of green lights from one intersection to the next in BOTH directions on more two-way streets.

This one made me laugh...a 3 year old who wanted an Ipad for christmas...this is a true story...she wanted it so bad, but her parents thought perhaps because of the cost and second because of her age that a Kindle fire would be more appropriate. So now we come to Christmas day...her mom and dad and grandma and several other family members watched as she opened the gift...along with the commentary that" they ALL pitched in to buy the Kindle for her"....there is silence...then she responds....hmmmmm so you ALL pitched in..then why couldn't I have the Ipad... she is a little genius in the making...keep in mind she is 3

midi, here a flashing yellow arrow DOES mean that the oncoming traffic has a green light. It is a "caution, cars are coming you can turn when able" light. When we have a SOLID green light, that means that we can turn left at anytime because the oncoming traffic has a RED light.

Brightonborn, to me that isn't a genius in the making, that is a spoiled little brat, already made.

I agree with you Lynn. Just what about that makes her a genius

"A clock used to be a teaching tool. You can even use one to tell direction if you don't have a compass"

I'll bite!

How does a clock tell you directions, like which way is north?

Yep. My wife reported she spotted on of these flashing yellow trun signals at a newly reconstructed intersection. My opinion: Its stupid! It confuses and does not add any new information. In fact, it add confusion.

At older interestions, there was a green arrow indicating you had the right-away to make a left turn. As the time period neared its end, a yellow arrow appeared followed by a red arrow. The yellow warned the motorist that a red light was on its way and one should prepare to stop. Now thing about that new blinking yellow arrow - what does it mean? You gotta stop and read the sign under it to know for sure.

Using a yellow arrrow either steady of flashing, to indicate it is permissable to make a left turn after yielding to on-comming traffic is idiotic. It the same as a steady green light. A green light give motorist the rightaway to proceed forward through an intersection, or make a left turn after yielding to oncomming traffic. It has been that way for years. Why add to the confusion and generate more disrespect for the yellow light? Disrespecting the yellow warning light is a big cause of running a red light.

"A green light give motorist the rightaway to proceed forward through an intersection, or make a left turn after yielding to oncomming traffic. It has been that way for years. Why add to the confusion and generate more disrespect for the yellow light? "

this is a funny conversation. lol different laws in different areas I guess.
Here if you get a GREEN ARROW, the oncoming traffic has a RED light and you don't yield to oncoming traffic, because there should be none. lol Here, GREEN means go. Green arrow, means GO that way! Yellow light, or arrow means CAUTION.. either oncoming traffic or light about to turn red. red means stop.

I, too was wondering how you use a clock for direction.
and yes, the little girl is becoming a brat but is also using her brain for problem solving. she does sound smart. But is already a brat for demanding something, whether it be a dollar store item or a totally unappropiate Ipad or kindle! lol

Here is the California Driver Handbook

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/traff_lgts_sgns.htm

California Driver Handbook - Traffic Lights and Signs

Traffic Signal Lights

Solid Red� A red signal light means "STOP." You can make a right turn against a red light after you stop then yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles close enough to be a hazard. Make the right turn only when it is safe. Do not turn if a "NO TURN ON RED" sign is posted.

Red Arrow� A red arrow means "STOP." Remain stopped until the green signal or green arrow appears. Do not turn against a red arrow.

Flashing Red� A flashing red signal light means "STOP." After stopping, you may proceed when it is safe. Observe the right-of-way rules.

Solid Yellow� A yellow signal light means "CAUTION." The red signal is about to appear. When you see the yellow light, stop if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop safely, cross the intersection cautiously.

Yellow Arrow� A yellow arrow means the "protected" turning time period is ending. Be prepared to obey the next signal, which could be the green or red light or the red arrow.

Flashing Yellow� A flashing yellow signal light warns you to "PROCEED WITH CAUTION." You do not need to stop for a flashing yellow light, but you must slow down and be especially alert before entering the intersection.

Flashing Yellow Arrow� This signal means turns are permitted (unprotected), but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and then proceed with caution.

Solid Green� Give the right-of-way to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian in the intersection. A green light means "GO." If you are turning left, make the turn only if you have enough space to complete the turn before creating a hazard for any oncoming vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian. Do not enter the intersection if you cannot get completely across before the light turns red. If you block the intersection, you can be cited.

Green Arrow� A green arrow means "GO." You must turn in the direction the arrow is pointing after you yield to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian still in the intersection. The green arrow allows you to make a "protected" turn. Oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians are stopped by a red light as long as the green arrow is lighted.

Traffic Signal Blackout� If a traffic signal light is not working, proceed cautiously, as if the intersection is controlled by a stop sign in all directions.

Anyone know why this copied so strange, in the previous post? I have seen it before with other posts, but its a first for me.

Great post Cynic. I entirely agree with your observations. Love to see parents like that mom. Unfortunately getting rare these days.

How sad that a 3 year old would ask for an Ipad. Even sadder that her parents would buy a 3 year old a pad of any kind......well other than a drawing pad some crayons and markers.

Not a genius kid at all. Wonder what kind of motor skills she has/will have. Will she be able to draw ,paint and write? Will she have spacial skills that come from drawing, ,doing puzzles(actually handling and placing the pieces), building with blocks and Legos? Doubtful.

Getting directions is rather simple if I remember it correctly. You point the hour hand at the sun, then halfway between the hour hand and the 12 is south. This works in the northern hemisphere. As I recall, but I'm not sure about it, in the southern hemi, you point the 12 at the sun, then halfway between it and the hour hand is north, or something like that. Never been there so I never tested it.

I suppose I should also add the caveat that you need to have a watch or clock with reasonably accurate time, or know what time of day it is within reason. You can also use a digital if you are competent to envision analog time but these days...