Massachusetts drivers, get ready for the newest addition to the traffic signal family: the yellow arrow is coming soon.
Earlier this month, the state Department of Transportation announced a $3 million project that will add the yellow left-turn directional lights to about 350 traffic signals in 140 cities and towns by 2017.
MassDOT officials say they hope the new arrow lights will help prevent accidents caused by left-turning vehicles. Agency officials estimate a quarter of all crashes at traffic signals in the state involve vehicles making a left turn.
So what exactly does the yellow arrow mean?
According to a MassDOT diagram, a flashing yellow arrow tells drivers that left turns are allowed, but they must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before proceeding with caution.
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A solid yellow arrow means the traffic signal will be turning red, and drivers approaching it should stop. They should not assume oncoming traffic has a red light, since their signal could still be green.
“The purpose is to update existing technology and replace it with something that has a message that is more clear and consistent,” said Michael Verseckes, a spokesman for MassDOT.
Verseckes mentioned existing green and red arrow lights for left-turn lanes as an example. The timing of those signals is programmed according to the volume of traffic, he said. Sometimes, it takes a long time for the intersection’s signals to complete the cycle, which makes drivers wait longer at a red arrow.
With the new flashing yellow arrow, drivers will have “more flexibility” to turn when safe, rather than waiting for the next green arrow, he said.
Pothole victims have some hope — on local roads
A couple of weeks ago, we learned that the Department of Transportation won’t pay for car damage from a pothole on a state highway.
But what about potholes on city streets?
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It turns out drivers can ask a municipality for reimbursement for damage from a pothole on a badly maintained local street.
Boston, for example, has a page on its website listing how to file a claim with the city clerk. The city requires a $15 filing fee, and says you can include medical bills, receipts, and estimates from mechanics to make your case.
Worcester also includes information on its site about filing a claim, but officials make it clear they might put up a fight: “Even if the city is negligent for not repairing a pothole on a timely basis, state law prevents the city from paying the claim if the driver was also negligent,” the site reads, adding that driving too quickly is the most common form of negligence.
If you do want to take that route for any damage, do it quickly: State law mandates that you seek restitution within 30 days of the incident.
T continues New Year’s Eve tradition: lots of free rides
If you’re looking to get around safely on New Year’s Eve, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has your back.
The agency will be continuing its tradition of offering free service after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
The Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule, with additional trains running at rush-hour levels of service from 3 p.m. Wednesday to about 2 a.m. on Thursday.
The Silver Line, boats, buses, and trackless trolleys will be operating on a regular weekday schedule on New Year’s Eve.
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The RIDE, the agency’s paratransit service, will also operate on a regular weekday schedule, with extended hours until 2:30 a.m. for revelers.
Joe Pesaturo, an MBTA spokesman, said the tradition of free New Year’s Eve rides started more than 20 years ago.
“In addition to being a provider of reliable public transportation services, the MBTA considers itself a leader in enhancing public safety,” he said.
You’ll have a tougher time getting regular service on New Year’s Day, however. The agency won’t run its commuter boats on Thursday, and all other services will operate on the MBTA’s Sunday/holiday schedules.
Nicole Dungca can be reached at nicole.dungca@globe.com.