(a) Whenever special pedestrian signals exhibiting the words “walk” or “don't walk” or the symbol of a walking person or an upraised palm are in place, such signals shall indicate the following instructions:
(1) “Walk” or the symbol of a walking person. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right of way by the operators of all vehicles.
(2) “Don't walk” or the symbol of an upraised palm. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate the continued use of pedestrian control signals utilizing the word “wait” if those signals were installed prior to the effective date of this section (March 28, 1985). (ORC 4511.14)