41-6a-305.  Traffic-control signal — At intersections — At place other than intersection — Color of light signal — Inoperative traffic-control signals — Affirmative defense.

(1) 

Terms Used In Utah Code 41-6a-305

(a) that part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from:
(i) 
(A) the curbs; or
(B) in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; and
(ii) in the absence of a sidewalk on one side of the roadway, that part of a roadway included within the extension of the lateral lines of the existing sidewalk at right angles to the centerline; or
(b) any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Highway: means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of any nature when any part of it is open to the use of the public as a matter of right for vehicular travel. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Intersection: means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two or more highways that join one another. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Moped: means a motor-driven cycle having:
    (i) pedals to permit propulsion by human power; and
    (ii) a motor that:
    (A) produces not more than two brake horsepower; and
    (B) is not capable of propelling the cycle at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour on level ground. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Motorcycle: means :
    (a) a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground; or
    (b) an autocycle. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Operator: means :
    (a) a human driver, as defined in Section 41-26-102. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Pedestrian: means a person traveling:
    (a) on foot; or
    (b) in a wheelchair. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Pedestrian traffic-control signal: means a traffic-control signal used to regulate pedestrians. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Railroad: means a carrier of persons or property upon cars operated on stationary rails. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Right-of-way: means the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity that give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Roadway: means that portion of highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Traffic: means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for the purpose of travel. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Traffic-control signal: means a device, whether manually, electrically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Vehicle: means a device in, on, or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a highway, except a mobile carrier, as defined in Section 41-6a-1120, or a device used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
    • (a)  Green, red, and yellow are the only colors that may be used in a traffic-control signal, except for a:

    (i)  pedestrian traffic-control signal that may use white and orange; and

    (ii)  rail vehicle that may use white.

    (b)  Traffic-control signals apply to the operator of a vehicle and to a pedestrian as provided in this section.

    • (2) 

    (a) 

    (i)  Except as provided in Subsection (2)(a)(ii), the operator of a vehicle facing a circular green signal may:

    (A)  proceed straight through the intersection;

    (B)  turn right; or

    (C)  turn left.

    (ii)  The operator of a vehicle facing a circular green signal, including an operator turning right or left:

    (A)  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; and

    (B)  may not turn right or left if a sign at the intersection prohibits the turn.

    (b)  The operator of a vehicle facing a green arrow signal shown alone or in combination with another indication:

    (i)  may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow or other indication shown at the same time; and

    (ii)  shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

    (c)  Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian traffic-control signal under Section 41-6a-306, a pedestrian facing any green signal other than a green turn arrow may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

    (3) 

    (a)  The operator of a vehicle facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is warned that the allowable movement related to a green signal is being terminated.

    (b)  Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian traffic-control signal under Section 41-6a-306, a pedestrian facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow 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.

    (4) 

    (a)  Except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), the operator of a vehicle facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal:

    (i)  may not enter the intersection unless entering the intersection to make a movement is permitted by another indication; and

    (ii)  shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked or unmarked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown.

    (b)  Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian traffic-control signal under Section 41-6a-306, a pedestrian facing a steady red signal alone may not enter the roadway.

    (c) 

    (i) 

    (A)  The operator of a vehicle facing a steady circular red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn right, or may turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street, after stopping as required by Subsection (4)(a).

    (B)  If permitted by a traffic control device on the state highway system, the operator of a vehicle facing a steady red arrow signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street after stopping as required by Subsection (4)(a).

    (ii)  The operator of a vehicle under Subsection (4)(c)(i) shall yield the right-of-way to:

    (A)  another vehicle moving through the intersection in accordance with an official traffic-control signal; and

    (B)  a pedestrian lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk.

    (5) 

    (a)  This section applies to a highway or rail line where a traffic-control signal is erected and maintained.

    (b)  Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the highway pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but, in the absence of any sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.

    (6)  The operator of a vehicle approaching an intersection that has an inoperative traffic-control signal shall:

    (a)  stop before entering the intersection; and

    (b)  yield the right-of-way to any vehicle as required under Section 41-6a-901.

    (7) 

    (a)  For an operator of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle who is 16 years of age or older, it is an affirmative defense to a violation of Subsection (4)(a) if the operator of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle facing a steady circular red signal or red arrow:

    (i)  brings the motorcycle, moped, or bicycle to a complete stop at the intersection or stop line;

    (ii)  determines that:

    (A)  the traffic-control signal has not detected the operator’s presence by waiting a reasonable period of time of not less than 90 seconds at the intersection or stop line before entering the intersection;

    (B)  no other vehicle that is entitled to have the right-of-way under applicable law is sitting at, traveling through, or approaching the intersection; and

    (C)  no pedestrians are attempting to cross at or near the intersection in the direction of travel of the operator; and

    (iii)  cautiously enters the intersection and proceeds across the roadway.

    (b)  The affirmative defense under this section does not apply at an active railroad grade crossing as defined in Section 41-6a-1005.

    (8)  A violation of this section is an infraction.

    Amended by Chapter 412, 2015 General Session

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