                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

TRAFFIC LIGHTS; PENALTY (§ 46.2-833)

A. Signals by traffic lights 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 motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic
shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
			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 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.
			Flashing 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.
			Flashing 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.
			Flashing 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.
			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
intersection.

B. 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.

C. 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.

D. 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.
			Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic
infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 46-203; 1952, c. 671; 1954, c. 381; 1958, c. 541, §
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.