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U-turns, yellow lights, stubborn red lights: What to know about some Idaho traffic laws

Stories by Idaho Statesman journalists, with AI summarization

Idaho traffic laws present a suite of complex scenarios that can perplex residents and visitors alike.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

When you take Idaho’s driver’s test you must answer at least one question about bicycles and pedestrians.

NO. 1: 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT IDAHO’S QUIRKY TRAFFIC LAWS

Dogbone roundabout? The ol’ Idaho stop? That’s just a start. | Published June 15, 2023 | Read Full Story by Statesman staff

A person on a bicycle and a car trudge through the snowy sludge on Main St. in downtown Boise on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. The National Weather Service is forecasting very cold temperatures in the Treasure Valley from Friday night through Sunday. Snow will continue on Thursday.

NO. 2: CAN YOU HONK AT BICYCLISTS AND JOGGERS IN IDAHO? ONLY UNDER RARE CIRCUMSTANCES. HERE’S WHY

There’s only one reason you can legally honk your horn in Idaho. | Published September 13, 2023 | Read Full Story by Shaun Goodwin

Cars and trucks park on 11th Street in Boise’s North End in November 2020.

NO. 3: CAN I LEGALLY PARK IN FRONT OF SOMEBODY ELSE’S HOUSE IN IDAHO? HERE’S WHAT THE LAW SAYS

How long can you park in front of someone else’s house? What about your own house? Idaho has rules for that. | Published September 28, 2023 | Read Full Story by Shaun Goodwin

Stop Lights and One-Way sign, Pearl District, Portland, OR

NO. 4: WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A RED LIGHT WON’T CHANGE? CAN YOU RUN IT? HERE’S WHAT IDAHO LAW SAYS

If a traffic light isn’t working, can you just run the red light? Here’s what Idaho law enforcement told us. | Published November 30, 2023 | Read Full Story by Shaun Goodwin

Construction equipment is parked in on 11th Street north of Main Street, Thursday, April, 20, 2023. Closures along 11th Street are due to the Rebuild 11th Street Blocks project by CCDC, a redevelopment and urban renewal agency for Boise. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 5: CAN YOU RUN A RED LIGHT IF CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS OFF A WHOLE ROAD IN BOISE? HERE’S IDAHO LAW

Downtown construction in Boise this summer could make for some confusing intersections. | Published May 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shaun Goodwin

Unlike a solid yellow light, which warns that a red light is coming, the flashing yellow, such as this one on Bakerview Road, reminds drivers to be careful going through an intersection. By Doug Dahl

NO. 6: CAN YOU LEGALLY DRIVE THROUGH A YELLOW LIGHT IN IDAHO, OR SHOULD YOU STOP? HERE’S THE LAW

The law differs by state, but Idaho is in the majority on its yellow light rules. | Published July 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shaun Goodwin

Birds sit on a traffic-light pole that includes a no U-turn sign. By Olivier Racine

NO. 7: IS IT LEGAL TO MAKE A U-TURN IF THERE’S NO SIGN AGAINST IT? HERE’S WHAT IDAHO LAW SAYS

What about if you’re on a hill or curve or in the middle of the road? | Published August 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shaun Goodwin

Traffic crosses the intersection at Shepherd Avenue and Friant Road on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Several safety measures have been implemented along a dangerous section of Friant Road in north Fresno including high-visibility crosswalks, reflective signal backplates, and no right turn on red signs.

NO. 8: IS IT ILLEGAL TO WAIT IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN IN IDAHO?

The state statute says that a driver must proceed with caution through the intersection when the light is yellow.  | Published December 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vincent Medina

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.