2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 31 - Motor and Other vehicles
CHAPTER 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices
§ 31-13-6 - Specifications and meaning of traffic lights.

SECTION 31-13-6

   § 31-13-6  Specifications and meaning of traffic lights. – Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting the words "go", "caution", or "stop", or exhibiting different colored lights successively one at a time, or with arrows, the following colors only shall be used, and the terms and lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:

   (1) Green alone or "go."

   (i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at the place prohibits either a right or left 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 the signal is exhibited.

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

   (2) Yellow alone or "caution" when shown following the green or "go" signal.

   (i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal is warned by it that the red or "stop" signal will be exhibited immediately afterwards, and the vehicular traffic shall not enter or be crossing the intersection when the red or "stop" signal is exhibited.

   (ii) Pedestrians facing the signal are advised by it 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) Red alone or "stop."

   (i) 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 the green or "go" is shown alone, and shall not, prior to reaching the intersection, make any turn over or through private property in order to avoid the signal. A right hand turn shall be permitted after vehicular traffic reaches a complete stop, at intersections when safety would permit the a turn and no sign forbids it. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

   (ii) No pedestrian facing the signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

   (4) Red with green arrow.

   (i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

   (ii) No pedestrian facing the signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

   (5) Red arrow.

   (i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop and shall remain standing until the red arrow turns green.