![Louisiana’s Left Turn Problem – DOTD Installing Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals Across the State](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/09/attachment-W.-Broussard-at-Johnston-Street-google-street-view.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana’s Left Turn Problem – DOTD Installing Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals Across the State
BATON ROUGE, La. (KPEL News) - There's a running joke in Lafayette that drivers will go through great lengths not to make left turns in the city. Well, apparently, left turns are a problem for drivers across Louisiana as well.
![News Talk 96.5 KPEL logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/KPELFM.png?w=100)
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has begun an $11 million project to address this issue by upgrading 1,200 traffic signals across the state to include flashing yellow left turn arrows, as pointed out in this Louisiana Radio Network article. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett tells LRN that more than 900 have been installed already with 350 more to go.
It’s a safety mechanism because turning left is a tricky maneuver for many drivers. The flashing yellow gives more of a warning then the green bulb. The flashing yellow is more of a way to communicate with the drivers that you need to be careful here. Yellow means caution. The flashing yellow will grab your attention so if you’re turning left right here let’s be very cautious.
While red, yellow, flashing yellow arrow, and green traffic signals are all part of the massive project that began seven years ago, the flashing yellow arrow signals are a big focus of the project. In 2010, a study by Bradley University made an eye-opening discovery: flashing yellow arrows reduce left turn-related crashes by 32 percent.
Mallett says they are just trying to get drivers to think twice about oncoming traffic.
The project is expected to be completed in two years.
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Lafayette Police Seek Public’s Help in Identifying iPad Theft Suspect](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-15T194605.280.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Alleged Donald Trump Shooter Spotted Nearly 30 Minutes Before Shots Fired](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2161431349.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![WATCH: Would This Viral ‘Texas Gumbo’ Pass a South Louisiana Inspection?](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/12/attachment-Texas-Gumbo-Pepper-Belly-Pete.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Breaux Bridge Man Drowns After Car Plunges into Pond](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-16-copy.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Donald Trump Has Made His Vice Presidential Pick](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2159730000.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![CHECK IT OUT: You Can Rent This Awesome Tower in New Iberia, Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-new-iberia-airbnb-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Man Wins $100,000 With Lottery Strategy From Watching ‘Lottery Changed My Life’](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2022/04/attachment-giorgio-trovato-BRl69uNXr7g-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana to be Prominently Featured at Republican National Convention](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-RNC-LOGO.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Meche’s Donuts in New Iberia Closed After Windows Shattered by Gunfire](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Meches-Donuts-in-New-Iberia.jpg?w=980&q=75)