Pedestrian hybrid beacons — Iowa Permit Test

A pedestrian hybrid beacon operates only when a pedestrian activates it.

Most of the time the beacon sits dark, so cars can move freely until a walker needs to cross.

These beacons operate only when activated by a pedestrian.

When all the lights on a pedestrian hybrid beacon are dark, you may proceed with caution.

A dark beacon means no one has asked to cross, so traffic may keep moving with care.

When all lights are dark, motorists can proceed with caution.

When the bottom yellow light of a pedestrian hybrid beacon flashes, you must slow down.

The flashing yellow is the first warning that a walker pushed the button and a red light is coming.

Once activated, the bottom yellow light flashes, and motorists must slow down.

When the bottom yellow light of a pedestrian hybrid beacon turns solid, you must prepare to stop.

A solid yellow means the red lights are next, so get ready to stop before you reach the line.

Then the bottom yellow light becomes solid, and motorists must prepare to stop.

When the top two red lights of a pedestrian hybrid beacon turn solid, you must stop for pedestrians.

Solid red means people are crossing right now, so every car has to wait for them.

Then the top two red lights become solid, and motorists must stop for pedestrians.

When the top two red lights of a pedestrian hybrid beacon flash, you must stop if you have not already, then may go with caution if the crosswalk is clear.

Flashing red works like a stop sign: once the walkers are safely across, you need not wait for the lights to go dark.

Motorists must stop if they haven’t already done so, and may then proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear.

When does a pedestrian hybrid beacon operate?

Only when a pedestrian activates it. Most of the time the beacon sits dark, so cars can move freely until a walker needs to cross. Iowa Driver's License Manual, p.18: “These beacons operate only when activated by a pedestrian.”