2016 Indiana Code
TITLE 9. MOTOR VEHICLES
ARTICLE 21. TRAFFIC REGULATION
CHAPTER 3. TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS
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IC 9-21-3
Chapter 3. Traffic Control Signals
IC 9-21-3-0.5
"Pedestrian hybrid beacon"
Sec. 0.5. As used in this chapter, "pedestrian hybrid beacon"
means a traffic control signal used to warn and control traffic in
order to assist pedestrians in crossing a roadway at a crosswalk
distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other
markings.
As added by P.L.43-2011, SEC.2.
IC 9-21-3-1
Standards and specifications
Sec. 1. Each traffic control signal on a street or highway within
Indiana must conform with the standards, specifications, and
warrants set forth in the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices for Streets and Highways.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-3-2
Installation; traffic engineering studies; vicinity of schools; special
hearing
Sec. 2. (a) Each traffic signal installation on a street or highway
within Indiana may be erected only after the completion of traffic
engineering studies that verify that the traffic signal control is
necessary as set forth in the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
(b) If:
(1) the proposed installation is in the immediate vicinity of a
school; and
(2) the installation does not meet the requirements of this
section;
the governmental unit responsible for the control of traffic at the
location shall grant a special hearing on the question to a person who
has properly petitioned for the installation of a traffic signal.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-3-3
Removal of nonconforming signals
Sec. 3. Each traffic signal upon a highway that does not conform
to this chapter shall be removed by the governmental agency having
jurisdiction over the highway.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.198-2016,
SEC.361.
IC 9-21-3-4
Department of transportation; duties
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Sec. 4. The Indiana department of transportation is responsible for
the control of all traffic signals on the state highway system.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-3-5
Property of department of transportation
Sec. 5. A traffic signal installation on a state route is the property
of the Indiana department of transportation.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-3-6
Public or private agencies; erection of signs; written permission
Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a public or
private agency may not erect a traffic control device on a state
maintained highway without the written permission of the Indiana
department of transportation.
(b) This subsection applies to the installation of traffic signals on
a state highway in a city or town. The Indiana department of
transportation shall:
(1) install any signal that meets the standards, specifications,
and warrants set forth in the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices for Streets and Highways; or
(2) grant written permission to a city or town to erect the signal
if it is not possible for the state immediately to install the signal.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-3-7
Signals exhibiting colored lights or arrows; requirements;
explanation of colors
Sec. 7. (a) Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals
exhibiting different colored lights or colored lighted arrows
successively, one (1) at a time or in combination, only the colors
green, red, or yellow may be used, except for special pedestrian
signals under IC 9-21-18.
(b) The lights indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and
pedestrians as follows:
(1) Green indication means the following:
(A) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may
proceed straight through or turn right or left, unless a sign at
the place prohibits either turn.
(B) 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
sidewalk at the time the signal is exhibited.
(C) Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown
alone or in combination with another indication, may
cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement
indicated by the green arrow or other movement permitted
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by other indications shown at the same time.
(D) Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to
pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to
other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(E) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal,
pedestrians facing a green signal, except when the sole green
signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway
within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(2) Steady yellow indication means the following:
(A) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or
yellow arrow signal is warned that the related green
movement is being terminated and that a red indication will
be exhibited immediately thereafter.
(B) A pedestrian facing a steady circular yellow or yellow
arrow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian
control signal, is advised that there is insufficient time to
cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and a
pedestrian may not start to cross the roadway at that time.
(3) Steady red indication means the following:
(A) Except as provided in clauses (B) and (D), vehicular
traffic facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal shall
stop at a clearly marked stop line. However, if there is no
clearly marked stop line, vehicular traffic shall stop before
entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If
there is no crosswalk, vehicular traffic shall stop before
entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an
indication to proceed is shown.
(B) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn
described in this subdivision, vehicular traffic facing a
steady red signal, after coming to a complete stop, may
cautiously enter the intersection to do the following:
(i) Make a right turn.
(ii) Make a left turn if turning from the left lane of a
one-way street into another one-way street with the flow
of traffic.
Vehicular traffic making a turn described in this subdivision
shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an
adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic using the intersection.
(C) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal
pedestrians facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal
may not enter the roadway.
(D) This clause does not apply to the operation of an
autocycle. If the operator of a motorcycle, motor driven
cycle, or bicycle approaches an intersection that is controlled
by a traffic control signal, the operator may proceed through
the intersection on a steady red signal only if the operator:
(i) comes to a complete stop at the intersection for at least
one hundred twenty (120) seconds; and
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(ii) exercises due caution as provided by law, otherwise
treats the traffic control signal as a stop sign, and
determines that it is safe to proceed.
(4) No indication or conflicting indications means the
following:
(A) Except as provided in clause (C), vehicular traffic facing
an intersection having a signal that displays no indication or
conflicting indications, where no other control is present,
shall stop before entering the intersection.
(B) After stopping, vehicular traffic may proceed with
caution through the intersection and shall yield the
right-of-way to traffic within the intersection or approaching
so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(C) Vehicular traffic entering an intersection or crosswalk
facing a pedestrian hybrid beacon may proceed without
stopping if no indication is displayed on the pedestrian
hybrid beacon.
(5) This section applies to traffic control signals located at a
place other than an intersection. A stop required under this
subdivision must be made at the signal, except when the signal
is supplemented by a sign or pavement marking indicating
where the stop must be made.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.8-2010, SEC.2;
P.L.43-2011, SEC.3; P.L.206-2014, SEC.1; P.L.82-2015, SEC.5;
P.L.149-2015, SEC.55.
IC 9-21-3-8
Red or yellow flashing signals
Sec. 8. (a) This section does not apply at railroad grade crossings.
(b) Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used
in a traffic signal or with a traffic sign, vehicular traffic shall obey
the signal in the following manner:
(1) Flashing red (stop signal) means the following:
(A) When a red lens is illuminated by rapid intermittent
flashes, a person who drives a vehicle shall stop at a clearly
marked stop line before entering the crosswalk on the near
side of the intersection.
(B) If no line exists, the person shall stop at the point nearest
the intersecting roadway where the person has a view of
approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before
entering the roadway.
(C) The right to proceed is subject to the rules applicable
after making a stop at a stop sign.
(2) Except as provided in subdivision (3), flashing yellow
(caution signal) means that when a yellow lens is illuminated
with rapid intermittent flashes, a person who drives a vehicle
may proceed through the intersection or past the signal only
with caution.
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(3) When a yellow lens with an arrow is illuminated with rapid
intermittent flashes, a person who operates a vehicle may turn
only after yielding to oncoming traffic.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.43-2011, SEC.4.
IC 9-21-3-9
Individual lane use control signals
Sec. 9. When lane use control signals are placed over individual
lanes, the signals apply to vehicular traffic as follows:
(1) Green indication (downward green arrows) means vehicular
traffic may travel in any lane over which a green signal is
shown.
(2) Steady yellow indication (yellow X symbol) means
vehicular traffic is warned that a lane control change is being
made.
(3) Steady red indication (red X symbol) means vehicular traffic
may not enter or travel in a lane over which a red signal is
shown.
(4) Flashing yellow indication (yellow X symbol) means
vehicular traffic may use the lane only for the purpose of
approaching and making a left turn.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-3-10
Repealed
(As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Repealed by P.L.113-2014,
SEC.19; P.L.217-2014, SEC.44.)
IC 9-21-3-11
Violations; Class C infraction
Sec. 11. A person who violates section 7, 8, or 9 of this chapter
commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.113-2014, SEC.20;
P.L.217-2014, SEC.45.
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