(a) Traffic controlled by go, caution or stop lights; signal at place other than intersection. Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting the words “go,” “caution” or “stop,” or exhibiting different colored lights successively one at a time, or with arrows, only the colors mentioned in divisions (b) through (e) below shall be used and those terms and lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as provided by divisions (b) through (e) below. If 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 sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.
(b) Meaning of green or go signal; vehicular traffic; pedestrians. A green light alone or go shall indicate that:
(1) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at the place prohibits either 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 signal is exhibited; and
(2) Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(c) Meaning of steady yellow light; vehicular traffic; pedestrians. A steady yellow light alone shall indicate that:
(1) Vehicular traffic facing the signal is thereby warned that the red or stop signal will be exhibited immediately thereafter and the vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection when the red or stop signal is exhibited; and
(2) Pedestrians facing the signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway, and any pedestrian then starting to cross shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.
(d) Meaning of steady red light or stop signal; vehicular traffic; right turn on red. A steady red light alone or stop shall indicate that:
(1) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until green or go is shown alone, except as provided in this section; and
(2) The driver of any vehicle which is stopped as close as practicable at the entrance to the crosswalk and to the far right side of the roadway, then at the entrance to the intersection in obedience to a red or stop signal, may make a right turn but shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection. This division (d) permitting a right turn after a stop when facing a steady red light alone or stop signal shall not be effective if any local ordinance prohibits the turn and if a sign is erected at the intersection giving notice thereof.
(e) Meaning of steady red light with green arrow; vehicular traffic; pedestrians. A steady red light with green arrow shall indicate that:
(1) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection; and
(2) No pedestrian facing the signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(f) Pedestrian control signals. Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibit the words “walk” or “don’t walk” or the lighted international “walk” or “don’t walk” symbols, the signals shall indicate as follows.
(1) Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibit the words “walk” or “don’t walk” or the lighted international “walk” or “don’t walk” symbols, the signals shall indicate as follows.
A. Flashing or steady “walk.” Any pedestrian facing the signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and every driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to them.
B. Flashing or steady “don’t walk.” No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his or her crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the don’t walk signal is showing.
(2) Whenever a signal system provides for the stopping of all vehicular traffic and the exclusive moment of pedestrians and “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” signal indications control such pedestrian movement, pedestrians may cross in any direction between corners of the intersection offering the shortest route within the boundaries of the intersection while the “Walk” indication is exhibited, if signals and other official devices direct pedestrian movement in such manner.
(1975 Rev. Ords., § 3.112; 1992 Code, § 40-119) (Ord. 1991, passed 7-27-1959; Ord. 70-73, passed 9-4-1973; Ord. 31-76, passed 5-10-1976; Ord. 97-04, passed 9-13-2004; Ord. 118-18, passed 12-18-2018)
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see SDCL 32-28-1 et seq.