Practice question

What is the correct action if you approach an intersection with a red arrow?

  1. You must stop and cannot proceed in that direction
  2. Proceed cautiously if it's safe
  3. Slow down and check for pedestrians
  4. Continue if there are no cars

Answer: A — You must stop and cannot proceed in that direction

When you approach an intersection with a red arrow, the correct action is to stop and not proceed in that direction. A red arrow indicates that you must stop because turning in the direction of the arrow is prohibited. This law is in place to ensure safety at intersections, preventing potential collisions that could occur if vehicles were allowed to turn when traffic is stopped. It's important to understand that while a solid red light prompts the same requirement for stopping, the red arrow specifically indicates that turns in that direction are not allowed, reinforcing the need for drivers to be fully aware of the signals and obey them. This helps maintain the flow of traffic and ensures that all road users, including pedestrians, are kept safe from unexpected vehicle movements.

Practice more: New York Driver License (DMV) Written Practice Test →