Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting the words “Go,” “Caution” or “Stop,” or exhibiting differently colored lights, successively, one at a time, the following colors only shall be used, and said terms and lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows.
(A) Green alone, or “Go.”
(1) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through, or turn right or left, unless a sign prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians who happen to be lawfully within the intersection. Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within the crosswalk area, whether marked or not.
(B) Steady yellow alone, or “Caution,” when shown following the green or “Go” signal.
(1) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection, but if such stop cannot be made in safety, a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection.
(2) Pedestrians facing such signal are thereby warned that there will not be sufficient time to safely cross a roadway, and any pedestrian then starting to cross shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.
(C) Steady red alone, or “Stop.”
(1) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection, or at such other point as may be indicated by a clearly visible line, and shall remain standing until green or “Go” is shown alone; provided, that any vehicle, after coming to a complete stop for a red light facing the vehicle, may make a right turn after yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles, as provided by G.S. § 20-158, unless such right turn is prohibited as indicated on the official traffic maps.
(2) No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(D) Steady red with green arrow.
(1) Vehicular traffic facing such signal may cautiously enter the intersection and continue the movement in the direction indicated by such arrow, but shall not interfere with other traffic.
(2) No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(Code 2019, § 13-7) (Code 1961, § 16-25) Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Signal legend, see G.S. § 20-158