A reader sent a request to me for clarification of an earlier article I wrote concerning yellow signs, signals and pavement markings.  Apparently a group of bus drivers in a nearby county are under the impression that any vehicle that approaches a flashing yellow light must stop before driving through.  This is not the case as I will explain.  

I remember growing up the intersection of Siebenthaler Ave. at Philadelphia Dr. in Dayton was controlled by a signal that flashed red in all four directions.  That intersection had to be traversed the same as a four way stop sign intersection.  Laws pertaining to who has the right of way at a stop sign regulated the intersection even though a traffic signal was installed.  

Often a City or Governmental Jurisdiction will place a traffic signal at a lightly used intersection.  Some even have the normal traffic signal working during the day but late at night one direction would have red flashing lights and the other direction would be yellow flashing lights.  

When a driver approaches an intersection with the yellow signal for one direction and red flashing for the other, the driver facing red must stop and yield the right of way to all traffic legally in the intersection on yellow.  All traffic facing the yellow flashing light is cautioned that they are approaching a possibly dangerous or unusual intersection and should proceed with caution.  But they are legally allowed to enter the intersection.  

This is the same rule for a normal traffic signal turning from green to yellow to red.  The yellow is only a caution that the light is about to turn red and entering the intersection on red would be in violation.  Entering the intersection on the yellow is not a violation and thus cannot be enforced under the failure to obey a traffic control device (running a red light).

Is it wise to enter an intersection on yellow at the normal speed?  No, but it is not illegal either.  Many times I investigated accidents at intersections with one of the drivers claimed to have entered on yellow.  The other driver of course would claim to have had a green light when the accident happened.  In these cases it often fell upon impartial witnesses who were civic minded enough to stop and give a statement to the police.

So if you are a bus driver or any driver for that matter, do not expect another driver to stop at a yellow flashing light.  Should you enter on red and they enter on yellow, you are the one guilty of failing to yield the right of way.

Ohio Revised Code section 4511.13 is the code that covers this situation and reads as follows.

4511.13 Highway traffic signal indications; section not applicable to railroad crossings.

Highway traffic signal indications for vehicles and pedestrians shall have the following meanings:

(E) Flashing yellow signal indication:

(1)(a) Vehicular traffic, on an approach to an intersection, facing a flashing circular yellow signal indication, is permitted to cautiously enter the intersection to proceed straight through or turn right or left or make a U-turn movement except as such movement is modified by lane-use signs, turn prohibition signs, lane markings, roadway design, separate turn signal indications, or other traffic control devices. Such vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left or making a U-turn movement, shall yield the right-of-way to both of the following:

(i) Pedestrians lawfully within an associated crosswalk;

(ii) Other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.

(b) In addition, vehicular traffic turning left or making a U-turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles approaching from the opposite direction so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when such turning vehicle is moving across or within the intersection.

(2)(a) Vehicular traffic, on an approach to an intersection, facing a flashing yellow arrow signal indication, displayed alone or in combination with another signal indication, is permitted to cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or other such movement as is permitted by other signal indications displayed at the same time. Such vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left or making a U-turn, shall yield the right-of-way to both of the following:

(i) Pedestrians lawfully within an associated crosswalk;

(ii) Other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.

(b) In addition, vehicular traffic turning left or making a U-turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles approaching from the opposite direction so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when such turning vehicle is moving across or within the intersection.

(3) Pedestrians facing any flashing yellow signal indication at an intersection, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication or other traffic control device, are permitted to proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked associated crosswalk. Pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection at the time that the flashing yellow signal indication is first displayed.

(4) When a flashing circular yellow signal indication is displayed as a beacon to supplement another traffic control device, road users are notified that there is a need to pay additional attention to the message contained thereon or that the regulatory or warning requirements of the other traffic control device, which might not be applicable at all times, are currently applicable.

(F) Flashing red signal indication:

(1) Vehicular traffic, on an approach to an intersection, facing a flashing circular red signal indication, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line; but if there is no stop line, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection; or if there is no crosswalk, at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. The right to proceed shall be subject to the provisions that are applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

(2) Pedestrians facing any flashing red signal indication at an intersection, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication or other traffic control device, are permitted to proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked associated crosswalk. Pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection at the time that the flashing red signal indication is first displayed.

(3) When a flashing circular red signal indication is displayed as a beacon to supplement another traffic control device, road users are notified that there is a need to pay additional attention to the message contained thereon or that the regulatory requirements of the other traffic control device, which might not be applicable at all times, are currently applicable. Use of this signal indication shall be limited to supplementing stop, do not enter, or wrong way signs, and to applications where compliance with the supplemented traffic control device requires a stop at a designated point.

(G) 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.

(H) This section does not apply at railroad grade crossings. Conduct of drivers of vehicles, trackless trolleys, and streetcars approaching railroad grade crossings shall be governed by sections 4511.61 and 4511.62 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 7, HB 51, §101.01, eff. 7/1/2013.

Amended by 129th General Assembly File No.70, HB 349, §1, eff. 4/20/2012.

Effective Date: 03-28-1985

First Group 2x2
First Group 2x2
Local News

Stories on people, places, events and businesses right here in Western Clark County.

Local Government

Meetings and news from local Boards of Education, Township Trustees and County Commissioners.

Sports

Arrows, Bees & Warriors; we cover all local high school sports, as well as local semi-pro and adult leagues