(a) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to disobey the directions of any traffic signal placed in accordance

81

COL 6/21/2023

16 Guam Code Ann. VEHICLES
CH. 3 GENERAL PROVISIONS

with the provisions of this Title unless otherwise directed by a peace officer.

(b) Whenever traffic at an intersection is alternately directed to stop and go by the use of mechanical light signals, the color lights shall indicate as follows, except as otherwise provided in this Section:

(1) Green – Traffic facing the signal may proceed straight ahead, and make right or left turns except where no such turns are permitted, when so indicated by official signs, and vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing on the crosswalk at the intersection who started across the roadways prior to the green signal for such vehicles.

(2) Yellow – Traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection, but if such stop cannot be made in safety, the vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection.

(3) Red – Traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the intersection and remain stopped until green is shown, and no movement or turns shall be lawful while the red color shows except as otherwise provided in this Section.

(4) No U-turns shall be made on a two-way street in a business or residential district, unless they shall be made at least one hundred (100) feet from an intersection and then only on such signal and at such times and places as may be indicated by official signs.

(c) Where official signs indicate permissible turns, as provided for in this Section, they shall be attached to the regular traffic signals, or immediately adjacent thereto, and shall be clearly illuminated at night.

(d) Traffic signal interpretation set forth in this Section shall not apply to vehicles operated under the direction of the police in the chase or apprehension of suspected violators of the law or of persons charged with such violations, nor to fire department or fire patrol vehicles when traveling in response to a fire alarm, nor to ambulances when traveling in emergencies, but the above

82

COL 6/21/2023

16 Guam Code Ann. VEHICLES
CH. 3 GENERAL PROVISIONS

emergencies shall not protect the operator of any such vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.

(e) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to disobey the directions of any traffic signs approved by or erected by the Chief of Police to regulate the flow of traffic.

(f) Whenever any peace officer is present at any intersection or at any place upon the public highways, his verbal or visible signals and instructions shall take precedence over any traffic sign, symbol, signal or marking and it shall be unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to comply with his signals or instructions.

(g) The operator of a vehicle which is stopped at the entrance of an intersection in obedience to a red light signal may make a right turn but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at said intersection, except that the Chief of Police may, by regulation, prohibit any such right turn against a red light signal at any intersection, which regulation shall be effective when a sign is erected at such intersection giving notice thereof.

(h) (1) The driver of any vehicle approaching an intersection which has official traffic control signals that are inoperative shall stop at the intersection, and may proceed with caution when it is safe to do so.

(2) When two or more vehicles approach an intersection from different highways at the same time, and the official traffic control signal is inoperative, the drivers shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection or before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the same rules that are applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

(3) The Department of Public Works shall install signs at each intersection that read: STOP when traffic signal light is not working. Yield to Right of Way.

SOURCE: GC § 23137, enacted by P.L. 1-088 (Nov. 29, 1952); subsection (g) added by P.L. 8-042 (July 13, 1965); subsection (h) added by P.L. 23-083:2 (Mar. 12, 1996).

83

COL 6/21/2023

16 Guam Code Ann. VEHICLES
CH. 3 GENERAL PROVISIONS