{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-833.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-833.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-833.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-833.html"}],"law_id":64548,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64548,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-833","catch_line":"Traffic lights; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-203; 1952, c. 671; 1954, c. 381; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-184; 1964, c. 613; 1966, c. 607; 1970, cc. 515, 736; 1972, cc. 4, 234, 454; 1974, c. 347; 1976, cc. 30, 31; 1977, c. 9; 1978, c. 300; 1981, c. 163; 1989, c. 727; 2000, c. 834; 2004, cc. 252, 743; 2006, c. 928; 2011, c. 471; 2013, cc. 128, 400.","full_text":"A\n\nSignals by traffic lights shall be as follows:\n\t\t\tSteady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a steady green arrow.\n\t\t\tGreen indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tSteady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction of the moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has not already entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the intersection shall continue to move until the intersection has been cleared.\n\t\t\tFlashing circular red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing red arrow indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection. After stopping, traffic may cautiously enter the intersection to turn in the direction of the signal. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing circular amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the intersection or past such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing amber arrow indicates that traffic may turn in the direction of such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.B\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed, and (v) yields the right of way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.C\n\nIf the traffic lights controlling an intersection are out of service because of a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the traffic lights, the drivers of vehicles approaching such an intersection shall proceed as though such intersection were controlled by a stop sign on all approaches. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: intersections controlled by portable stop signs, intersections with law-enforcement officers or other authorized persons directing traffic, or intersections controlled by traffic lights displaying flashing red or flashing amber lights as provided in subsection A.D\n\nThe driver of any motor vehicle may be detained or arrested for a violation of this section if the detaining law-enforcement officer is in uniform, displays his badge of authority, and (i) has observed the violation or (ii) has received a message by radio or other wireless telecommunication device from another law-enforcement officer who observed the violation. In the case of a person being detained or arrested based on a radio message, the message shall be sent immediately after the violation is observed, and the observing officer shall furnish the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle to the detaining officer.\n\t\t\tViolation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":234909,"text":"Signals by traffic lights shall be as follows:\n\t\t\tSteady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a steady green arrow.\n\t\t\tGreen indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tSteady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction of the moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has not already entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the intersection shall continue to move until the intersection has been cleared.\n\t\t\tFlashing circular red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing red arrow indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection. After stopping, traffic may cautiously enter the intersection to turn in the direction of the signal. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing circular amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the intersection or past such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing amber arrow indicates that traffic may turn in the direction of such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":234910,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed, and (v) yields the right of way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":234911,"text":"If the traffic lights controlling an intersection are out of service because of a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the traffic lights, the drivers of vehicles approaching such an intersection shall proceed as though such intersection were controlled by a stop sign on all approaches. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: intersections controlled by portable stop signs, intersections with law-enforcement officers or other authorized persons directing traffic, or intersections controlled by traffic lights displaying flashing red or flashing amber lights as provided in subsection A.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":234912,"text":"The driver of any motor vehicle may be detained or arrested for a violation of this section if the detaining law-enforcement officer is in uniform, displays his badge of authority, and (i) has observed the violation or (ii) has received a message by radio or other wireless telecommunication device from another law-enforcement officer who observed the violation. In the case of a person being detained or arrested based on a radio message, the message shall be sent immediately after the violation is observed, and the observing officer shall furnish the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle to the detaining officer.\n\t\t\tViolation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13934,"edition_id":1,"name":"Traffic Signs, Lights, and Markings","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12875,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:20","permalink":{"id":230755,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13934,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12875,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":230189,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12875,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68998,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-830","catch_line":"Uniform traffic control devices on highways; drivers to obey traffic control devices; enforcement of section","url":"\/46.2-830\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-830","metadata":false},{"id":76734,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-830.1","catch_line":"Failure to obey highway sign where driver sleeping or resting","url":"\/46.2-830.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-830.1","metadata":false},{"id":66584,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-830.2","catch_line":"Pedestrians with disabilities; traffic signs","url":"\/46.2-830.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-830.2","metadata":false},{"id":79269,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-831","catch_line":"Unofficial traffic control devices prohibited; penalties","url":"\/46.2-831\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-831","metadata":false},{"id":85411,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-832","catch_line":"Damaging or removing traffic control devices, work signs, or street address signs","url":"\/46.2-832\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-832","metadata":false},{"id":64548,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-833","catch_line":"Traffic lights; penalty","url":"\/46.2-833\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-833","metadata":false},{"id":64178,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-833.01","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/46.2-833.01\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-833.01","metadata":false},{"id":82198,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-833.1","catch_line":"Evasion of traffic control devices","url":"\/46.2-833.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-833.1","metadata":false},{"id":84306,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-834","catch_line":"Signals by law-enforcement officers, crossing guards, and flaggers","url":"\/46.2-834\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-834","metadata":false},{"id":54990,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-835","catch_line":"Right turn on steady red light after stopping","url":"\/46.2-835\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-835","metadata":false},{"id":81028,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-836","catch_line":"Left turn on steady red after stopping","url":"\/46.2-836\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-836","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":85411,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-832","catch_line":"Damaging or removing traffic control devices, work signs, or street address signs","url":"\/46.2-832\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-832","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":64178,"structure_id":13934,"section_number":"46.2-833.01","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/46.2-833.01\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-833.01","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-833\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 18 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 671; in 1954, chapter 381; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1964, chapter 613; in 1966, chapter 607; in 1970, chapters 515 and 736; in 1972, chapters 4, 234, and 454; in 1974, chapter 347; in 1976, chapters 30 and 31; in 1977, chapter 9; in 1978, chapter 300; in 1981, chapter 163; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2000, chapter 834<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 252<\/a> and 743<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 928<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 471<\/a>; in 2013, chapters 128<\/a> and 400<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":66068,"section_number":"15.2-968.1","catch_line":"(For contingent effective date, see Acts 2023, c. 738, cl. 2) Use of violation monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals and certain traffic control devices","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-968.1\/"},{"id":54990,"section_number":"46.2-835","catch_line":"Right turn on steady red light after stopping","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-835\/"},{"id":81028,"section_number":"46.2-836","catch_line":"Left turn on steady red after stopping","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-836\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":230777,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64548,"identifier":"46.2-833","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-833","url":"\/46.2-833\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-833\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/3\/46.2-833","dublin_core":{"Title":"Traffic lights; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-833","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Signals by traffic lights<\/span> shall be as follows:\n\t\t\tSteady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a steady green arrow.\n\t\t\tGreen indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion<\/span> as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles<\/span> and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection<\/span>.\n\t\t\tSteady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction of the moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has not already entered the intersection<\/span>, including the crosswalks<\/span>, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the intersection<\/span> shall continue to move until the intersection<\/span> has been cleared.\n\t\t\tFlashing circular red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection<\/span>. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection<\/span>.\n\t\t\tFlashing red arrow indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection<\/span>. After stopping, traffic may cautiously enter the intersection<\/span> to turn in the direction of the signal. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection<\/span>.\n\t\t\tFlashing circular amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the intersection<\/span> or past such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection<\/span>.\n\t\t\tFlashing amber arrow indicates that traffic may turn in the direction of such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span>, if a driver<\/span> of a motorcycle<\/span> or moped<\/span> or a bicycle<\/span> rider approaches an intersection<\/span> that is controlled by a traffic light<\/span>, the driver<\/span> or rider may proceed through the intersection<\/span> on a steady red light<\/span> only if the driver<\/span> or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection<\/span> for two complete cycles of the traffic light<\/span> or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law<\/span>, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control device<\/span> as a stop sign, (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed, and (v) yields the right of way to the driver<\/span> of any vehicle<\/span> approaching on such other highway<\/span> from either direction. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the traffic lights<\/span> controlling an intersection<\/span> are out of service because of a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the traffic lights<\/span>, the drivers<\/span> of vehicles<\/span> approaching such an intersection<\/span> shall proceed as though such intersection<\/span> were controlled by a stop sign on all approaches. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: intersections<\/span> controlled by portable stop signs, intersections<\/span> with law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> or other authorized persons directing traffic, or intersections<\/span> controlled by traffic lights<\/span> displaying flashing red or flashing amber lights<\/span> as provided in subsection A. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The driver<\/span> of any motor vehicle<\/span> may be detained or arrested for a violation of this section if the detaining law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> is in uniform, displays his badge of authority, and (i) has observed the violation or (ii) has received a message by radio or other wireless telecommunication device from another law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> who observed the violation. In the case of a person being detained or arrested based on a radio message, the message shall be sent immediately after the violation is observed, and the observing officer shall furnish the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle to the detaining officer.\n\t\t\tViolation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction<\/span> punishable by a fine of no more than $350. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTRAFFIC LIGHTS; PENALTY (\u00a7 46.2-833)\n\nA. Signals by traffic lights shall be as follows:\n\t\t\tSteady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as\nlong as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a steady\ngreen arrow.\n\t\t\tGreen indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and\nremain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic\nshall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tSteady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction of\nthe moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has not\nalready entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if it is\nnot reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the\nintersection shall continue to move until the intersection has been cleared.\n\t\t\tFlashing circular red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an\nintersection. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and\nvehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing red arrow indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an\nintersection. After stopping, traffic may cautiously enter the intersection to\nturn in the direction of the signal. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way\nto pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing circular amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the\nintersection or past such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances.\nSuch traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic\nlawfully within the intersection.\n\t\t\tFlashing amber arrow indicates that traffic may turn in the direction of such\nsignal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield\nthe right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the\nintersection.\n\nB. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or\nmoped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a\ntraffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a\nsteady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete\nstop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two\nminutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii)\notherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, (iv) determines that\nit is safe to proceed, and (v) yields the right of way to the driver of any\nvehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.\n\nC. If the traffic lights controlling an intersection are out of service because\nof a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the\ntraffic lights, the drivers of vehicles approaching such an intersection shall\nproceed as though such intersection were controlled by a stop sign on all\napproaches. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: intersections\ncontrolled by portable stop signs, intersections with law-enforcement officers\nor other authorized persons directing traffic, or intersections controlled by\ntraffic lights displaying flashing red or flashing amber lights as provided in\nsubsection A.\n\nD. The driver of any motor vehicle may be detained or arrested for a violation\nof this section if the detaining law-enforcement officer is in uniform, displays\nhis badge of authority, and (i) has observed the violation or (ii) has received\na message by radio or other wireless telecommunication device from another\nlaw-enforcement officer who observed the violation. In the case of a person\nbeing detained or arrested based on a radio message, the message shall be sent\nimmediately after the violation is observed, and the observing officer shall\nfurnish the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle to\nthe detaining officer.\n\t\t\tViolation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic\ninfraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-203; 1952, c. 671; 1954, c. 381; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7\n46.1-184; 1964, c. 613; 1966, c. 607; 1970, cc. 515, 736; 1972, cc. 4, 234, 454;\n1974, c. 347; 1976, cc. 30, 31; 1977, c. 9; 1978, c. 300; 1981, c. 163; 1989, c.\n727; 2000, c. 834; 2004, cc. 252, 743; 2006, c. 928; 2011, c. 471; 2013, cc.\n128, 400.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}