(a) Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting the words "Go," "Caution," or "Stop" or exhibiting different colored lights successively one (1) at a time or with arrows, the following colors only shall be used and such terms and lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
(1) Green alone or "Go."
a. Vehicular traffic facing the signal may turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such 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 such signal is exhibited.
b. Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(2) Steady yellow alone.
a. Vehicular traffic facing the signal is thereby warned that the red or "Stop" signal will be exhibited immediately thereafter and such vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection when the red or "Stop" signal is exhibited.
b. Pedestrians facing such 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.
(3) Steady red alone, or "Stop."
a. 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 hereinafter provided.
b. 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 and at the entrance to an intersection in obedience to a red or "Stop" may make a right turn, but shall first yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at such intersection; provided, that such right turn shall be permitted and effected unless a clearly visible sign prohibiting such turn shall be erected at such intersection giving notice thereof. The chief of police is hereby authorized and directed to cause such signs to be erected and maintained on and at such intersections as the governing body may establish and designate.
(4) Steady red with green arrow.
a. Vehicular traffic facing such signal may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow but only yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
b. No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(b) 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 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 sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.
(Code 1982, § 23-805)
State law reference—Similar provisions, SDCL §§ 32-28-1—32-28-5.