Johns Creek will become the first city in the state to install flashing yellow left-turn arrows this spring.

The flashing yellow left arrow means drivers can turn left if the way is clear as long as they yield to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.

The flashing yellow arrows are meant to reduce accidents and near-misses. They are meant to take the guesswork out of left turns.

“Flashing yellow left-turn arrows have been successfully used in many other states, such as Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas,” said Johns Creek Public Works Director Tom Black. “This has been tested in many other places.”

By March the city will add flashing yellow areas to traffic lights at the intersections of State Bridge and St. Georgian Common, State Bridge and the entrance to Parkway Baptist Church, State Bridge and the entrances to Home Depot and Whole Foods Market, McGinnis Ferry and Hospital Parkway, McGinnis Ferry and Johns Creek Parkway and McGinnis Ferry and the entrance to Johns Creek Town Center.

These intersections will have the following arrows to follow: a solid red arrow when no left turns are allowed, a solid yellow arrow meaning prepare to stop, a flashing yellow arrow to yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and a solid green arrow for a protected left turn.