Why do people stop at flashing yellow lights?

At an intersection. One way is flashing yellow, the other flashes red. It's been like this for a week. (So it's not a storm/power/emergency situation)

I've never seen SO many people come to a dead stop at a flashing yellow, which I thought was a caution. This confuses the whole intersection, as some people stop and some don't.

I see two problems.
First, people generally don't know how to drive well. This includes failing to pay attention, a lack of knowledge of basic physics, some sort of deep-rooted physiological urge to randomly apply the brakes without either an apparent cause or noticeably slowing down and absolutely no knowledge of basic traffic laws.

Take a four-way stop sign for example-- the proper procedure is easy to remember, there is a handy mnemonic to make sure everything works- right -of-way. That is, the driver on your right has priority over you. People don't get this basic idea, and this is encountered nearly everyday. A traffic light that is flashing a particular color after a storm or other such event is relatively uncommon.

Perhaps, even if people were to grasp such a simple traffic concept (they won't), they can't rely on others to follow the proper procedure, and are willing to spend a few more minutes at a relatively unique traffic event to make sure someone isn't blowing through the intersection at full speed into them and their passengers.

As it seems common to have accidents around these intersections, and despite my agreement and frustration over people not following the traffic laws, perhaps the extra moment to make sure the coast is clear is justified.

With your situation, while it has been flashing a week, that does not mean that every driver that comes to it knows that.
I really don't know what to tell you, I always try to lead by example, but there still will be people who can't follow the law. Perhaps we can establish a non-profit that puts educational ads in the leo and the paper and make tv commercials to educate people as to what to do when they come upon a flashing yellow.

Two things:

If it is an intersection where the light is not functioning call MetroCall @ 311 and report it. If they don't know about it then they can't fix it.

If it is a traffic signal that would normally do the red/yellow/green cycle, flashing yellow is to be treated as a red and a stop is warranted.

People can't remember to use a turn signal in this town let alone remember rules of the road.

Two things:

If it is an intersection where the light is not functioning call MetroCall @ 311 and report it. If they don't know about it then they can't fix it.

If it is a traffic signal that would normally do the red/yellow/green cycle, flashing yellow is to be treated as a red and a stop is warranted.

People can't remember to use a turn signal in this town let alone remember rules of the road.

I don't think that is true, look to KRS 189.338(5)(b):
(5) Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic signal or
with a traffic sign it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
(a) Flashing red (stop signal) - When a red lens is illuminated with rapid
intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles shall stop at a clearly marked stop
line but, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway
where the operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting
roadway before entering it, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the
rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(b) Flashing yellow (caution signal) - When a yellow lens is illuminated with
rapid intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles may proceed through the
intersection or past such signal only with caution.

Why do people stop at flashing yellow lights?

Well, if I see a flashing light, red or yellow, I usually stop. But is because I am colorblind. I have a hard time distinguishing between the yellow and red. If someone is not with me to ask what color, I stop.

Yesterday, the traffic lights were completely out at Brownsboro and Herr Lane. Everyone was actually handling it as a four way stop and correctly going clockwise. It was my turn to proceed through the intersection when this lady comes barreling through, not slowing down or paying any attention to the situation. Fortunately I saw her and was able to stop.

The same thing happened to me the other week! And the guy yapping on his cell phone who didn't bother to stop and I guess was too busy to see that the light was out actually had the nerve to glare at me like I was the one at fault! Some people!

Couple questions....
I thought the first person to enter a 4 way stop and come to a complete stop had the right of way and only when 2 cars enter the 4 way stop at the same time does the right of way yield to the car on the right.

How do you exercise caution at a flashing yellow light if not by at least slowing down? I guess I could turn off my radio and lock my doors but I don't think that's would help a great deal.

Two things:

If it is an intersection where the light is not functioning call MetroCall @ 311 and report it. If they don't know about it then they can't fix it.

If it is a traffic signal that would normally do the red/yellow/green cycle, flashing yellow is to be treated as a red and a stop is warranted.

People can't remember to use a turn signal in this town let alone remember rules of the road.

I don't think that is true, look to KRS 189.338(5)(b):
(5) Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic signal or
with a traffic sign it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
(a) Flashing red (stop signal) - When a red lens is illuminated with rapid
intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles shall stop at a clearly marked stop
line but, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway
where the operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting
roadway before entering it, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the
rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(b) Flashing yellow (caution signal) - When a yellow lens is illuminated with
rapid intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles may proceed through the
intersection or past such signal only with caution.

It's a good thing I keep a full set of KRS handy in glovebox.

Many times at odds with reality, KRS is what keeps firefighters, paramedics, hospitals, rehab facilities, body shops, funeral homes and lawyers in business. I love job security but stopping is still your best bet. You do get the people who blast on through and the KRS booklet is only good for covering your eyes before impact.

Many times at odds with reality, KRS is what keeps firefighters, paramedics, hospitals, rehab facilities, body shops, funeral homes and lawyers in business. I love job security but stopping is still your best bet. You do get the people who blast on through and the KRS booklet is only good for covering your eyes before impact.

I agree for the most part, if not a full stop, slowing down and proceeding with caution is always smart. As I said above, just because you know the rules doesn't mean that others do. I do wish more people would have a better understanding of traffic laws though; the flashing yellows don't bother me as much as the people that can't negotiate a four way stop to save their life.....

It's a good thing I keep a full set of KRS handy in glovebox.

you mean there are people that don't??

People can't remember to use a turn signal in this town let alone remember rules of the road.

Police officers included.
...irritates me more than anything.

[Robin Garr]

Police officers included.
...irritates me more than anything.

No kidding! What ever happened to the concept of setting a good example?

Which reminds me of a digression: Am I the only dirty-minded person in town who's bemused by the back of the Metro Police cars bearing a Web address that could be interpreted as denoting a lack of virility?

http://lmpdky.org

Police officers included.
...irritates me more than anything.

No kidding! What ever happened to the concept of setting a good example?

Which reminds me of a digression: Am I the only dirty-minded person in town who's bemused by the back of the Metro Police cars bearing a Web address that could be interpreted as denoting a lack of virility?

http://lmpdky.org

That never occurred to me....
I will never look at a police car the same

Many times at odds with reality, KRS is what keeps firefighters, paramedics, hospitals, rehab facilities, body shops, funeral homes and lawyers in business. I love job security but stopping is still your best bet. You do get the people who blast on through and the KRS booklet is only good for covering your eyes before impact.

I wish it was a booklet Ed. Sadly, it has turned in a multi-volume set that can take over an entire bookshelf. And now, thanks to the new annual meeting of our legislation-happy legislature we get a whole flurry of new laws added every year instead of every other year.

How many freakin' laws do we need to make?