EAGLE, Idaho — A spotlight is now shining on flashing yellow lights at intersections, after a man died in a rollover crash at the intersection of Highway 44 and Eagle Road.
Investigators say the driver of an SUV turned left while a yellow light was blinking in the intersection. The SUV collided with a van, which flipped over and became pinned against a traffic light pole.
According to Eagle police, drivers not giving enough attention to the blinking yellow light is a problem they see on a daily basis.
“We have way too many accidents due to the misjudgment of flashing yellow lights,” Sgt. Ryan Wilkie said.
So what’s the purpose of the blinking lights?
“It allows drivers the opportunity to, when safe, make a left turn instead of sticking behind a red arrow, so it increases the mobility at the intersection which gets more people moving through overall,” said Idaho Transportation Department spokesman Jake Melder.
“Basically, it’s telling you ‘hey take some caution when you go through this intersection, but it’s not a free pass, it’s not a green light,'” Wilkie said.
Everyone should be mindful of the lights.
“We have a personal responsibility as citizens of the Treasure Valley to take time, to give yourself an extra couple seconds, to obey the lights in the sense that it’s telling you 'hey you can make it through this, not you think that you can make it through,'” Wilkie said. “If you feel you can’t make it through the intersection, please, we implore you, take the time to let the light cycle through.”
KTVB reached out to the Ada County Highway District about the flashing yellow lights. ACHD could not comment because of the ongoing investigation into Tuesday's crash.
About 80,000 cars travel through the intersection a day, according to the Eagle Police Department.