why do blinking yellow arrows exist on traffic lights?

Question

(USA specific) When a traffic light turns green and there’s a left turn lane, why does the light need the blinking yellow arrow? Isn’t it already implied that you can turn left as long as you yield to oncoming traffic? I understand why a red and green arrow are necessary for a turning lane, but the yellow seems redundant.

In: 6

Answer 1

Because the green usually indicates there is no oncoming traffic or the oncoming traffic has a red light and you have the right of way, the yellow blinking indicates that you will now have to yield to oncoming traffic and longer have the right of way…. At least in Canada.