What is the difference between protected turns and permissive turns at intersections?

What is the difference between protected turns and permissive turns at intersections?

• A. Protected turns allow turns across gaps in opposing traffic.
• B. Protected turns have a dedicated phase with no conflicting traffic; permissive turns allow turns across gaps in opposing traffic.
• C. Permissive turns require a green arrow for the turn.
• D. Protected turns apply only to right turns.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is signal control: protected turns get a dedicated phase that keeps opposing traffic from conflicting with the turning movement, while permissive turns are allowed to proceed only when there’s a safe gap in opposing traffic and you must yield. Protected turns use their own signal phase—typically a green arrow—that gives the driver a clear, protected window to complete the turn without having to worry about oncoming vehicles or pedestrians in that lane. Permissive turns, on the other hand, are allowed on a green light but only if there’s a safe gap in opposing traffic; you must watch for and yield to anything approaching. Why this best fits: it states that a protected turn has a dedicated phase with no conflicting traffic, while a permissive turn relies on gaps in opposing traffic for safety. The other statements don’t capture that distinction: a phrase about turning “across gaps” describes the permissive behavior rather than the protected phase; a green arrow is associated with protected turns, not permissive; and protected turns aren’t limited to right turns—they can apply to left turns as well.

The key idea is signal control: protected turns get a dedicated phase that keeps opposing traffic from conflicting with the turning movement, while permissive turns are allowed to proceed only when there’s a safe gap in opposing traffic and you must yield.

Protected turns use their own signal phase—typically a green arrow—that gives the driver a clear, protected window to complete the turn without having to worry about oncoming vehicles or pedestrians in that lane. Permissive turns, on the other hand, are allowed on a green light but only if there’s a safe gap in opposing traffic; you must watch for and yield to anything approaching.

Why this best fits: it states that a protected turn has a dedicated phase with no conflicting traffic, while a permissive turn relies on gaps in opposing traffic for safety. The other statements don’t capture that distinction: a phrase about turning “across gaps” describes the permissive behavior rather than the protected phase; a green arrow is associated with protected turns, not permissive; and protected turns aren’t limited to right turns—they can apply to left turns as well.