Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words “walk” or “don’t walk,” or the symbol of a walking person or an upraised palm are in place, these signals shall indicate the following instructions:
(A) “Walk” or the symbol of a walking person. Pedestrians facing this 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.
(B) “Don’t walk” or the symbol of an upraised palm. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal.
(C) “Wait.” 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 March 28, 1985.
(R.C. § 4511.14) ('73 Code, § 72.26)