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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>64548</law_id><section_number>46.2-833</section_number><catch_line>Traffic lights; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-968.1</reference><reference>46.2-835</reference><reference>46.2-836</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Operation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="8">Regulation of Traffic</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Traffic Signs, Lights, and Markings</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Signals by traffic <span class="dictionary">lights</span> shall be as follows:
			Steady 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.
			Green indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in <span class="dictionary">motion</span> as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> and pedestrians lawfully within the <span class="dictionary">intersection</span>.
			Steady 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 <span class="dictionary">intersection</span>, including the <span class="dictionary">crosswalks</span>, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the <span class="dictionary">intersection</span> shall continue to move until the <span class="dictionary">intersection</span> has been cleared.
			Flashing circular red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an <span class="dictionary">intersection</span>. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the <span class="dictionary">intersection</span>.
			Flashing red arrow indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an <span class="dictionary">intersection</span>. After stopping, traffic may cautiously enter the <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">intersection</span>.
			Flashing circular amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">intersection</span>.
			Flashing 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 <span class="dictionary">intersection</span>. <a id="paragraph-234909" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-833/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, if a <span class="dictionary">driver</span> of a <span class="dictionary">motorcycle</span> or <span class="dictionary">moped</span> or a <span class="dictionary">bicycle</span> rider approaches an <span class="dictionary">intersection</span> that is controlled by a traffic <span class="dictionary">light</span>, the <span class="dictionary">driver</span> or rider may proceed through the <span class="dictionary">intersection</span> on a steady red <span class="dictionary">light</span> only if the <span class="dictionary">driver</span> or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the <span class="dictionary">intersection</span> for two complete cycles of the traffic <span class="dictionary">light</span> or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>, (iii) otherwise treats the <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">driver</span> of any <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> approaching on such other <span class="dictionary">highway</span> from either direction. <a id="paragraph-234910" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-833/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> If the traffic <span class="dictionary">lights</span> controlling an <span class="dictionary">intersection</span> are out of service because of a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the traffic <span class="dictionary">lights</span>, the <span class="dictionary">drivers</span> of <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> approaching such an <span class="dictionary">intersection</span> shall proceed as though such <span class="dictionary">intersection</span> were controlled by a stop sign on all approaches. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: <span class="dictionary">intersections</span> controlled by portable stop signs, <span class="dictionary">intersections</span> with <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officers</span> or other authorized persons directing traffic, or <span class="dictionary">intersections</span> controlled by traffic <span class="dictionary">lights</span> displaying flashing red or flashing amber <span class="dictionary">lights</span> as provided in subsection A. <a id="paragraph-234911" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-833/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">driver</span> of any <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> may be detained or arrested for a violation of this section if the detaining <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">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.
			Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a <span class="dictionary">traffic infraction</span> punishable by a fine of no more than $350. <a id="paragraph-234912" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-833/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 46-203; 1952, c. 671; 1954, c. 381; 1958, c. 541, &#xA7; 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.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
