189.338 Limitation of colored lights used in traffic-control signals -- Rules for vehicular and pedestrian traffic controlled by traffic-control signals. - Kentucky Statutes

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189.338 Limitation of colored lights used in traffic-control signals -- Rules for vehicular and pedestrian traffic controlled by traffic-control signals. Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights
or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors
green, red, and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word
legend or symbolic message, and said lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles
and pedestrians as follows:
(1) Green indication. (a) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such 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 such signal is exhibited. (b) 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 such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted
by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic 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-control signal, pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may
proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk. (d) Vehicular traffic that entered an intersection on a circular green or yellow indication is allowed to complete a left turn during the red indication. (2) Steady yellow indication. (a) Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be
exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the
intersection. (b) Pedestrians facing a steady yellow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to
cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and no pedestrian shall
then start to cross the roadway. (3) Steady red indication. (a) Vehicular traffic facing a circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line but, if none, then before entering the crosswalk on the near
side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and
shall remain standing until a green indication is shown, except as follows:
1. The driver of a vehicle which is stopped as required by subsection
(3)(a) with the intention of making a right turn, may make such right
turn, after stopping, unless an official sign has been erected prohibiting
such movement, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other
traffic lawfully proceeding through the intersection. 2. The driver of a vehicle which is stopped as required by subsection
(3)(a) whose vehicle is in the left lane of a one-way highway with the
intention of making a left turn onto the left lane of another one-way
highway with the flow of traffic, may make such left turn, after stopping,
unless an official sign has been erected prohibiting such movement, but
shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic lawfully
proceeding through the intersection. 3. In instances where there are two (2) right or left turn lanes, an allowable
turn under this paragraph may be made from either lane unless a
regulatory sign specifically prohibits it. (b) Cities and counties may, by ordinance, and the department of highways may, by regulation, prohibit any such right or left turn against a steady red signal at
any intersection, which prohibition shall be effective when an official sign
prohibiting such movement is erected at the intersection. (c) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, pedestrians facing a steady red signal alone shall not enter the roadway. (4) In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except
as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop
required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the
stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be
made at the signal. (5) Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic signal or with a traffic sign it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
(a) Flashing red (stop signal) - When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles shall stop at a clearly marked stop
line but, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway
where the operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting
roadway before entering it, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the
rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign. (b) Flashing yellow (caution signal) - When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles may proceed through the
intersection or past such signal only with caution. Effective: July 12, 2006
History: Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 16, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 46, sec. 4, effective June 17, 1978; and ch. 156, sec. 1, effective
June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 74, Art. IV, sec. 20(1). -- Created
1974 Ky. Acts ch. 201, sec. 1.