Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
01
The "Uniform Vehicle Code" (see Section 1A.11) is the primary source for the
standards for the meaning of vehicular signal indications to both vehicle
operators and pedestrians as provided in this Section, and the standards for
the meaning of separate pedestrian signal head indications as provided in
Section 4E.02.
02 The physical area
that is defined as being "within the intersection" is dependent upon the
conditions that are described in the definition of intersection in Section
1A.13.
Standard:
03 (DE Revision) The following meanings shall
be given to highway traffic signal indications for vehicles and pedestrians:
A. Steady green signal indications shall have
the following meanings:
1. Vehicular traffic
facing a CIRCULAR GREEN signal indication is permitted to proceed straight
through or turn right or left or make a U-turn movement except as such movement
is modified by lane-use signs, turn prohibition signs, lane markings, roadway
design, separate turn signal indications, or other traffic control devices.
Such vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning
right or left or making a U-turn movement, shall yield the right-of-way
to:
(a) Pedestrians lawfully within an
associated crosswalk, and
(b) Other
vehicles lawfully within the intersection.
In addition, vehicular traffic turning left or making a
U-turn movement to the left shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles
approaching from the opposite direction so closely as to constitute an
immediate hazard during the time when such turning vehicle is moving across or
within the intersection.
2. Vehicular traffic facing a GREEN ARROW
signal indication, displayed alone or in combination with another signal
indication, is permitted to cautiously enter the intersection only to make the
movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by
other signal indications displayed at the same time.
Such vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning
right or left or making a U-turn movement, shall yield the right-of-way
to:
(a) Pedestrians lawfully within an
associated crosswalk, and
(b) Other
vehicles lawfully within the intersection.
3. Pedestrians facing a CIRCULAR GREEN signal
indication, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication or
other traffic control device, are permitted to proceed across the roadway
within any marked or unmarked associated crosswalk. The pedestrian shall yield
the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection or so close as to
create an immediate hazard at the time that the green signal indication is
first displayed.
4. Pedestrians
facing a GREEN ARROW signal indication, unless otherwise directed by a
pedestrian signal indication or other traffic control device, shall not cross
the roadway.
B. Steady
yellow signal indications shall have the following meanings:
1. Vehicular traffic facing a steady CIRCULAR
YELLOW signal indication is thereby warned that the related green movement or
the related flashing arrow movement is being terminated or that a steady red
signal indication will be displayed immediately thereafter when vehicular
traffic shall not enter the intersection. The rules set forth concerning
vehicular operation under the movement(s) being terminated shall continue to
apply while the steady CIRCULAR YELLOW signal indication is
displayed.
2. Vehicular traffic
facing a steady YELLOW ARROW signal indication is thereby warned that the
related GREEN ARROW movement or the related flashing arrow movement is being
terminated. The rules set forth concerning vehicular operation under the
movement(s) being terminated shall continue to apply while the steady YELLOW
ARROW signal indication is displayed.
3. Pedestrians facing a steady CIRCULAR
YELLOW or YELLOW ARROW signal indication, unless otherwise directed by a
pedestrian signal indication or other traffic control device shall not start to
cross the roadway.
C.
Steady red signal indications shall have the following meanings:
1. Vehicular traffic facing a steady CIRCULAR
RED signal indication, unless entering the intersection to make another
movement permitted by another signal indication, shall stop at a clearly marked
stop line; but if there is no stop line, traffic shall stop before entering the
crosswalk on the near side of the intersection; or if there is no crosswalk,
then before entering the intersection; and shall remain stopped until a signal
indication to proceed is displayed, or as provided below.
Except when a traffic control device is in place
prohibiting a turn on red or a steady RED ARROW signal indication is displayed,
vehicular traffic facing a steady CIRCULAR RED signal indication is permitted
to enter the intersection to turn right, or to turn left from a one-way street
into a one-way street, after stopping. The right to proceed with the turn shall
be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a STOP
sign.
2. Vehicular traffic
facing a steady RED ARROW signal indication shall not enter the intersection to
make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless entering the intersection
to make another movement permitted by another signal indication, shall stop at
a clearly marked stop line; but if there is no stop line, before entering the
crosswalk on the near side of the intersection; or if there is no crosswalk,
then before entering the intersection; and shall remain stopped until a signal
indication or other traffic control device permitting the movement indicated by
such RED ARROW is displayed.
When a traffic control device is in place permitting a
turn on a steady RED ARROW signal indication, vehicular traffic facing a steady
RED ARROW signal indication is permitted to enter the intersection to make the
movement indicated by the arrow signal indication, after stopping. The right to
proceed with the turn shall be limited to the direction indicated by the arrow
and shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a STOP
sign. Pursuant to Delaware Code, Title 21, Chapter 41, Subchapter II,
§4108, right turns are not permitted on a steady RED ARROW signal
indication. Therefore, traffic control devices permitting turns on a steady RED
ARROW shall not be used.
3.
Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication or other traffic
control device, pedestrians facing a steady CIRCULAR RED or steady RED ARROW
signal indication shall not enter the roadway.
D. A flashing green signal indication has no
meaning and shall not be used.
E.
Flashing yellow signal indications shall have the following meanings:
1. Vehicular traffic, on an approach to an
intersection, facing a flashing CIRCULAR YELLOW signal indication is permitted
to cautiously enter the intersection to proceed straight through or turn right
or left or make a U-turn except as such movement is modified by lane-use signs,
turn prohibition signs, lane markings, roadway design, separate turn signal
indications, or other traffic control devices.
Such vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning
right or left or making a U-turn, shall yield the right-of-way to:
(a) Pedestrians lawfully within an associated
crosswalk, and
(b) Other vehicles
lawfully within the intersection.
In addition, vehicular traffic turning left or making a
U-turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles approaching
from the opposite direction so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard
during the time when such turning vehicle is moving across or within the
intersection.
2.
Vehicular traffic, on an approach to an intersection, facing a flashing YELLOW
ARROW signal indication, displayed alone or in combination with another signal
indication, is permitted to cautiously enter the intersection only to make the
movement indicated by such arrow, or other such movement as is permitted by
other signal indications displayed at the same time.
Such vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning
right or left or making a U-turn, shall yield the right-of-way to:
(a) Pedestrians lawfully within an associated
crosswalk, and
(b) Other vehicles
lawfully within the intersection.
In addition, vehicular traffic turning left or making a
U-turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles approaching
from the opposite direction so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard
during the time when such turning vehicle is moving across or within the
intersection.
3.
Pedestrians facing any flashing yellow signal indication at an intersection,
unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication or other traffic
control device, are permitted to proceed across the roadway within any marked
or unmarked associated crosswalk. Pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to
vehicles lawfully within the intersection at the time that the flashing yellow
signal indication is first displayed.
4. When a flashing CIRCULAR YELLOW signal
indication(s) is displayed as a beacon (see Chapter 4L) to supplement another
traffic control device, road users are notified that there is a need to pay
extra attention to the message contained thereon or that the regulatory or
warning requirements of the other traffic control device, which might not be
applicable at all times, are currently applicable.
F. Flashing red signal indications shall have
the following meanings:
1. Vehicular traffic,
on an approach to an intersection, facing a flashing CIRCULAR RED signal
indication shall stop at a clearly marked stop line; but if there is no stop
line, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection; or if
there is no crosswalk, at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the
driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before
entering the intersection. The right to proceed shall be subject to the rules
applicable after making a stop at a STOP sign.
2. Vehicular traffic, on an approach to an
intersection, facing a flashing RED ARROW signal indication if intending to
turn in the direction indicated by the arrow shall stop at a clearly marked
stop line; but if there is no stop line, before entering the crosswalk on the
near side of the intersection; or if there is no crosswalk, at the point
nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching
traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. The right
to proceed with the turn shall be limited to the direction indicated by the
arrow and shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a
STOP sign.
3. Pedestrians facing
any flashing red signal indication at an intersection, unless otherwise
directed by a pedestrian signal indication or other traffic control device, are
permitted to proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked
associated crosswalk. Pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles
lawfully within the intersection at the time that the flashing red signal
indication is first displayed.
4.
When a flashing CIRCULAR RED signal indication(s) is displayed as a beacon (see
Chapter 4L) to supplement another traffic control device, road users are
notified that there is a need to pay extra attention to the message contained
thereon or that the regulatory requirements of the other traffic control
device, which might not be applicable at all times, are currently applicable.
Use of this signal indication shall be limited to supplementing STOP (R1-1), DO
NOT ENTER (R5-1), or WRONG WAY (R5-1a) signs, and to applications where
compliance with the supplemented traffic control device requires a stop at a
designated point.
