§ 13-103. Traffic-control signal legend.

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, the following colors only shall be used, and the terms and lights shall indicate as follows:

(1)

Green alone or "go."

a.

Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn, but vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection at the time such signal is exhibited.

b.

Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

(2)

Yellow alone or "caution" when shown following green or "go" signal.

a.

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.

b.

Pedestrians facing such 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.

(3)

Red alone or "stop."

a.

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.

b.

No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

(4)

Green straight-through arrow alone.

a.

Vehicles facing such 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 such signal is exhibited.

b.

Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway within the appropriate marked or unmarked crosswalk unless directed otherwise by a pedestrian signal.

(5)

Green turn arrow alone.

a.

Vehicles facing such 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 such signal is exhibited.

b.

Pedestrians facing such signal shall not enter the roadway unless they can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

(6)

Green turn arrow with steady red.

a.

Vehicles facing such signal shall comply with the steady red, except that such 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.

b.

No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

(Code 1977, § 15-101)

State law reference

Vehicle control signs and signals, G.S. 20-158.