2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-833 - Traffic lights; penalty

46.2-833. Traffic lights; penalty.

A. Signals by traffic lights shall be as follows:

Steady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped aslong as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by alighted green arrow.

Green indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal andremain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that suchtraffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within theintersection.

Steady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction ofthe moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has notalready entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if itis not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered theintersection shall continue to move until the intersection has been cleared.The amber signal is a warning that the steady red signal is imminent.

Flashing red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering anintersection.

Flashing amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the intersection orpast such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances.

B. If the traffic lights controlling an intersection are out of servicebecause of a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signalsby the traffic lights, the drivers of vehicles approaching such anintersection shall proceed as though such intersection were controlled by astop sign on all approaches. The provisions of this subsection shall notapply to: intersections controlled by portable stop signs, intersections withlaw-enforcement officers or other authorized persons directing traffic, orintersections controlled by traffic lights displaying flashing red orflashing amber lights as provided in subsection A.

C. The driver of any motor vehicle may be detained or arrested for aviolation of this section if the detaining law-enforcement officer is inuniform, displays his badge of authority, and (i) has observed the violationor (ii) has received a message by radio or other wireless telecommunicationdevice from another law-enforcement officer who observed the violation. Inthe case of a person being detained or arrested based on a radio message, themessage shall be sent immediately after the violation is observed, and theobserving officer shall furnish the license number or other positiveidentification of the vehicle to the detaining officer.

Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a trafficinfraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.

(Code 1950, 46-203; 1952, c. 671; 1954, c. 381; 1958, c. 541, 46.1-184;1964, c. 613; 1966, c. 607; 1970, cc. 515, 736; 1972, cc. 4, 234, 454; 1974,c. 347; 1976, cc. 30, 31; 1977, c. 9; 1978, c. 300; 1981, c. 163; 1989, c.727; 2000, c. 834; 2004, cc. 252, 743; 2006, c. 928.)