§ 70.072. AUTOMATIC SIGNALS.  


Latest version.
  • At each intersection where an automatic signal is installed and actually functioning, all vehicular and pedestrian traffic crossing or entering the intersections shall be governed by the automatic signals, and it shall be unlawful to violate the signals. When automatic signals control traffic by exhibiting different colored lights, colored lighted arrows, word legends or symbols, the signals shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows.
    (A) Green indications.
    (1) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green indication may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn, but vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the indication is exhibited.
    (2) Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow indication, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time, and the vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
    (3) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, pedestrians facing any green indication, except when the sole green indication is a turn arrow, may proceed across the road within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
    (B) Yellow indications.
    (1) Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow indication is thereby warned that any movement related to a green indication is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection. Upon display of a steady yellow indication, vehicular traffic shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection, but if the stop cannot be made in safety, a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection.
    (2) Pedestrians facing a steady yellow indication, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian- control signal, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the road.
    (C) Red indications.
    (1) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red indication alone shall stop at a marked stop line or shall stop if there is no such line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if there is no crosswalk, before entering the intersection. The traffic shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in divisions (C)(2) and (C)(3) of this section.
    (2) Except where a traffic-control device is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic facing a steady red indication may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping as required by division (C)(1) of this section. The vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
    (3) Except where a traffic-control device is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic facing a steady red indication at the intersection of two one-way streets may cautiously enter the intersection from the left-hand lane to make a left turn after stopping as required by division (C)(1) of this section. The vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
    (4) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, pedestrians facing a steady red indication alone shall not enter the road. Pedestrians facing a flashing red signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the road.
    (D) Other applicable provisions. If a traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.
    (‘63 Code, § 10-3-3) (Ord. 98-27, passed 7-20-98) Penalty, see § 10.99