Whenever traffic is controlled by official traffic-control signals exhibiting the words “go”, “caution” or “stop”, or exhibiting different colored lights successively one at a time, the following colors only shall be used, and such words and lights shall indicate 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 at such place prohibits either such turn. However, vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection at the time the signal is exhibited.
(2) Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(B) 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 the signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross a roadway, and any pedestrian then starting to cross shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.
(C) 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, except as provided by G.S. § 20-158.
(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.
(D) Green straight-through arrow (alone).
(1) Vehicles facing this signal may proceed straight through, but shall not turn right or left. Such vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians legally within the intersection at the time this signal is exhibited.
(2) Pedestrians facing this signal may proceed across the roadway within the appropriate marked or unmarked crosswalk unless directed otherwise by a pedestrian signal.
(E) Green turn arrow (alone).
(1) Vehicles facing this signal may proceed through the intersection making only the turn so indicated by the arrow over the respective lane. Such vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection at the time this signal is exhibited.
(2) Pedestrians facing this signal shall not enter the roadway unless they can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(F) Green turn arrow (with steady red).
(1) Vehicles facing this signal shall comply with the steady red; however, vehicles may cautiously enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the green turn arrow. Vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(2) No pedestrian facing this signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(Prior Code, § 70.24)
Statutory reference:
Vehicle control signals, see G.S. § 20-158