DOT to drivers: Be aware of new lights

GREEN BAY - If you've driven up or down recently reconstructed Oneida Street in Ashwaubenon – you may have noticed some changes.

More specifically – changes to the traffic control turn signals.

Gone is the five lamp design – instead replaced by a four lamp design, with dedicated colored arrows.

"A 10 year study by the Federal Highway Administration has shown that using this light system is much more safer, and more effective in terms of traffic control," explained Mike Panosh, with the Wisconsin State Patrol.

He said the change isn't just happening in Wisconsin, but across the country.

While motorists might be startled by the change and not know what to do, Panosh said the flashing yellow arrow isn't much different than what was used before.

"Motorists should understand that that is a yield condition, in a sense that just because you see that flashing yellow light, it doesn't mean that you can go," said Panosh.

Brown County sheriff's officials said there haven’t been any traffic incidents related to the traffic light change, but added it will take drivers awhile to become accustomed to them.

"We just want drivers to understand, you can turn left if it's safe to do so, so it's going to be like an education, to get people out there educated on this thing," explained Lt. Christopher Knurr, with the Brown County Sheriff’s Department.

Some drivers said the change from the five-lamp to the in-vogue four was startling.

"I didn't like them because they're very, they're kind of confusing, because, you know, you're used to the green lights," said Nina Vang of Green Bay.

"The light stayed red, but the oncoming traffic turned green, the light started flashing yellow and I sat there because I didn't know what to do," said Joseph Hanamann of Pulaski.

Panosh says more and more of these types of lights will be popping up as new construction takes place or maintenance is performed on old lights.

If you would like more information about the lights or watch an animation about how the new lights work, click here .