§ 506-40. Traffic Control Signals, Vehicular.  


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  • Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals, exhibiting different illuminated colored lights, or controlled with illuminated arrows, the following colors only shall be used and the terms and lights shall indicate and apply to operators of vehicles as follows:

    (a)

    Circular green alone or "go". All traffic facing the signal except as provided under Sections 506-62, 506-84 and 506-85 may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But such traffic shall yield the right of way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection and to pedestrians within a crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.

    (b)

    Circular yellow alone or "caution" when shown following the green or "go" signal. All traffic facing the signal is warned that the red or "stop" signal will be exhibited immediately thereafter, and that pedestrians proceeding in accordance with traffic control signals shall have the right of way.

    (c)

    Circular red alone or "stop":

    (1)

    All traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until authorized to proceed by a traffic control device except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.

    (2)

    Unless a sign is in place prohibiting a right turn, all traffic facing this signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping as required by paragraph (c)(1) of this section. Such traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

    (d)

    Green arrow signal or a traffic control device authorizing turn with red or "stop" signal. All traffic facing such signal or device may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the green arrow or device and shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

    (e)

    Green arrow signal alone. All traffic facing such signal may enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow but shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to traffic lawfully using the intersection.

    (f)

    Yellow arrow signal alone when shown following a related green arrow signal. All traffic facing such a signal is warned that the related green arrow movement is about to be terminated.

    (g)

    Where more than one traffic control signal or device is shown simultaneously, vehicular traffic shall comply with the traffic control signal or device applicable to the traffic lane and direction in which it is proceeding or about to proceed.

    (h)

    Any traffic lawfully upon the roadway within an intersection at the time a traffic control signal changes may continue cautiously through the intersection with due regard for the safety and rights of all persons using the roadway.

    (i)

    Whenever a traffic signal is inoperative because of mechanical failure, operators of vehicles shall slow down and stop if the movement of traffic on the cross street or streets indicates that the red signal is out and then proceed with caution when the intersection has cleared.

    (j)

    In the event an official 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 line or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.

(C.O. 506-40; a. Ord. No. 153-1960, eff. May 20, 1960; a. Ord. No. 246-1960, eff. July 29, 1960; a. Ord. No. 403-63, eff. Nov. 20, 1963; a. Ord. No. 47-1971, eff. Feb. 10, 1971; reordained as C.M.C. 506-40, eff. Jan. 1, 1972; a. Ord. No. 224-1972, eff. May 24, 1972; a. Ord. No. 340-1975, eff. July 2, 1975)

Cross reference

Penalty, §§ 512-1, 512-7.

State law reference

See ORC 4511.13.