21450. (a) Whenever traffic is controlled by official traffic
control signals showing different colored lights, color-lighted
arrows, or color-lighted bicycle symbols, successively, one at a
time, or in combination, only the colors green, yellow, and red shall
be used, except for pedestrian control signals, and those lights
shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles, operators of
bicycles, and pedestrians as provided in this chapter.
(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2005, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2005, deletes or extends
that date.
21450. (a) Whenever traffic is controlled by official traffic
control signals showing different colored lights, or colored lighted
arrows, successively, one at a time, or in combination, only the
colors green, yellow, and red shall be used, except for pedestrian
control signals, and those lights shall indicate and apply to drivers
of vehicles and pedestrians as provided in this chapter.
(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2005.
21451. (a) A driver facing a circular green signal shall proceed
straight through or turn right or left or make a U-turn unless a sign
prohibits a U-turn. Any driver, including one turning, shall yield
the right-of-way to other traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within
the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.
(b) A driver facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in
combination with another indication, shall enter the intersection
only to make the movement indicated by that green arrow or any other
movement that is permitted by other indications shown at the same
time. A driver facing a left green arrow may also make a U-turn
unless prohibited by a sign. A driver shall yield the right-of-way
to other traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection
or an adjacent crosswalk.
(c) A pedestrian facing a circular green signal, unless prohibited
by sign or otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as
provided in Section 21456, may proceed across the roadway within any
marked or unmarked crosswalk, but shall yield the right-of-way to
vehicles lawfully within the intersection at the time that signal is
first shown.
(d) A pedestrian facing a green arrow turn signal, unless
otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in
Section 21456, shall not enter the roadway.
21452. (a) A driver facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow
signal is, by that signal, warned that the related green movement is
ending or that a red indication will be shown immediately
thereafter.
(b) A pedestrian facing a steady circular yellow or a yellow arrow
signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as
provided in Section 21456, is, by that signal, warned that there is
insufficient time to cross the roadway and shall not enter the
roadway.
21453. (a) A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall
stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the
crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then
before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an
indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in subdivision
(b).
(b) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, a driver,
after stopping as required by subdivision (a), facing a steady
circular red signal, may turn right, or turn left from a one-way
street onto a one-way street. A driver making that turn shall yield
the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk
and to any vehicle that has approached or is approaching so closely
as to constitute an immediate hazard to the driver, and shall
continue to yield the right-of-way to that vehicle until the driver
can proceed with reasonable safety.
(c) A driver facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the
intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless
entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another
signal, shall stop at a clearly marked limit line, but if none,
before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection,
or if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain
stopped until an indication permitting movement is shown.
(d) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as
provided in Section 21456, a pedestrian facing a steady circular red
or red arrow signal shall not enter the roadway.
21454. When lane use control signals are placed over individual
lanes, those signals shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles
as follows:
(a) Green indication: A driver may travel in any lane over which
a green signal is shown.
(b) Steady yellow indication: A driver is thereby warned that a
lane control change is being made.
(c) Steady red indication: A driver shall not enter or travel in
any lane over which a red signal is shown.
(d) Flashing yellow indication: A driver may use the lane only
for the purpose of making a left turn to or from the highway.
21455. When an official traffic control signal is erected and
maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of
this article shall be applicable except those provisions which by
their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be
made at a sign or crosswalk or limit line 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.
21455.5. (a) The limit line, the intersection, or other places
designated in Section 21455 where a driver is required to stop may be
equipped with an automated enforcement system if the system meets
both of the following requirements: (1) the system is identified by
signs, clearly indicating the system's presence, visible to traffic
approaching from all directions, or if signs are posted at all major
entrances to the city, including, at a minimum, freeways, bridges,
and state highway routes, and (2) the system is located at an
intersection that meets the criteria specified in Section 21455.7.
Any city utilizing an automated traffic enforcement system at
intersections shall, prior to issuing citations, commence a program
to issue only warning notices for 30 days. The local jurisdiction
shall also make a public announcement of the automated traffic
enforcement system at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the
enforcement program.
Only a governmental agency, in cooperation with a law enforcement
agency, may operate an automated enforcement system.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding Section 6253 of the Government Code, or
any other provision of law, photographic records made by an automated
enforcement system shall be confidential, and shall be made
available only to governmental agencies and law enforcement agencies
for the purposes of this article.
(2) For purposes of this article only, any confidential
information obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles for the
administration or enforcement of this article shall be held
confidential, and may not be used for any other purpose.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the registered owner or any
individual identified by the registered owner as the driver of the
vehicle at the time of the alleged violation shall be permitted to
review the photographic evidence of the alleged violation.
21455.6. (a) A city council or county board of supervisors shall
conduct a public hearing on the proposed use of automated enforcement
systems authorized pursuant to Section 21455.5 prior to that city or
county entering into a contract for the use of those systems.
(b) The authorization in Section 21455.5 to use automated
enforcement systems does not authorize the use of photo radar for
speed enforcement purposes by any jurisdiction.
21455.7. At each intersection at which there is an automated
enforcement system in operation, the minimum yellow light change
interval shall be established in accordance with the Traffic Manual
of the Department of Transportation.
21456. Whenever a pedestrian control signal showing the words "WALK"
or "WAIT" or "DONT WALK" or other approved symbol is in place, the
signal shall indicate as follows:
(a) "WALK" or approved "Walking Person" symbol. A pedestrian
facing the signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of
the signal, but shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully
within the intersection at the time that signal is first shown.
(b) Flashing or steady "DONT WALK" or "WAIT" or approved "Upraised
Hand" symbol. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the
direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially
completed crossing shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone or
otherwise leave the roadway while the "WAIT" or "DONT WALK" or
approved "Upraised Hand" symbol is showing.
21456.1. Whenever an official traffic control signal exhibiting an
approved "Walking Person" symbol, an approved "Upraised Hand" symbol,
or the words "WALK" or "WAIT" or "DON'T WALK" is shown concurrently
with official traffic control signals exhibiting the words "GO" or
"CAUTION" or "STOP" or exhibiting different colored lights
successively, one at a time or with arrows, a pedestrian facing those
traffic control signals shall obey the "Walking Person," "Upraised
Hand," "WALK" or "WAIT" or "DON'T WALK" control signal as provided in
Section 21456.
21456.2. (a) Unless otherwise directed by a bicycle signal as
provided in Section 21456.3, an operator of a bicycle shall obey the
provisions of this article applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
(b) Whenever an official traffic control signal exhibiting
different colored bicycle symbols is shown concurrently with official
traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights or
arrows, an operator of a bicycle facing those traffic control signals
shall obey the bicycle signals as provided in Section 21456.3.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2005, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2005, deletes or extends
that date.
21456.3. (a) An operator of a bicycle facing a green bicycle signal
shall proceed straight through or turn right or left or make a
U-turn unless a sign prohibits a U-turn. An operator of a bicycle,
including one turning, shall yield the right-of-way to other traffic
and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent
crosswalk.
(b) An operator of a bicycle facing a steady yellow bicycle signal
is, by that signal, warned that the related green movement is ending
or that a red indication will be shown immediately thereafter.
(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), an operator of a
bicycle facing a steady red bicycle signal shall stop at a marked
limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near
side of the intersection, or, if none, then before entering the
intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to
proceed is shown.
(d) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, an operator
of a bicycle, after stopping as required by subdivision (c), facing
a steady red bicycle signal, may turn right, or turn left from a
one-way street onto a one-way street. An operator of a bicycle
making a turn shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully
within an adjacent crosswalk and to traffic lawfully using the
intersection.
(e) A bicycle signal may be used only at those locations that meet
geometric standards or traffic volume standards, or both, as adopted
by the Department of Transportation.
(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2005, and as of that date is repealed unless a later enacted statute,
that is enacted before January 1, 2005, deletes or extends that
date.
21457. Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used
in a traffic signal or with a traffic sign, it shall require
obedience by drivers as follows:
(a) Flashing red (stop signal): When a red lens is illuminated
with rapid intermittent flashes, a driver shall stop at a clearly
marked limit 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 driver has a view of approaching
traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering it, and the
driver may proceed 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, a driver may proceed
through the intersection or past the signal only with caution.
21458. (a) Whenever local authorities enact local parking
regulations and indicate them by the use of paint upon curbs, the
following colors only shall be used, and the colors indicate as
follows:
(1) Red indicates no stopping, standing, or parking, whether the
vehicle is attended or unattended, except that a bus may stop in a
red zone marked or signposted as a bus loading zone.
(2) Yellow indicates stopping only for the purpose of loading or
unloading passengers or freight for the time as may be specified by
local ordinance.
(3) White indicates stopping for either of the following purposes:
(A) Loading or unloading of passengers for the time as may be
specified by local ordinance.
(B) Depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.
(4) Green indicates time limit parking specified by local
ordinance.
(5) Blue indicates parking limited exclusively to the vehicles of
disabled persons and disabled veterans.
(b) Regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be
effective on days and during hours or times as prescribed by local
ordinances.
21459. (a) The Department of Transportation in respect to state
highways and a local authority with respect to highways under its
jurisdiction, is authorized to place and maintain upon highways
distinctive roadway markings as described and with the effect set
forth in Section 21460.
(b) The distinctive roadway markings shall be employed to
designate any portion of a highway where the volume of traffic or the
vertical or other curvature of the roadway renders it hazardous to
drive on the left side of the marking or to indicate no driving to
the left as provided in Section 21460, and shall not be employed for
any other purpose.
(c) Any pavement marking other than as described in this section
placed by the Department of Transportation or any local authority
shall not be effective to indicate no driving over or to the left of
the marking.
21460. (a) When double parallel solid lines are in place, no person
driving a vehicle shall drive to the left thereof, except as
permitted in this section.
(b) When the double parallel lines, one of which is broken, are in
place, no person driving a vehicle shall drive to the left thereof,
except as follows:
(1) That the driver on that side of the roadway in which the
broken line is in place may cross over the double line or drive to
the left thereof when overtaking or passing other vehicles.
(2) As provided in Section 21460.5.
(c) Either of the markings as specified in subdivision (a) or (b)
does not prohibit a driver from crossing the marking when (1) turning
to the left at any intersection or into or out of a driveway or
private road, or (2) making a U-turn under the rules governing that
turn, and either of the markings shall be disregarded when authorized
signs have been erected designating offcenter traffic lanes as
permitted under Section 21657.
(d) Raised pavement markers may be used to simulate painted lines
described in this section when the markers are placed in accordance
with standards established by the Department of Transportation.
21460.5. (a) The Department of Transportation and local authorities
in their respective jurisdictions may designate a two-way left-turn
lane on a highway. A two-way left-turn lane is a lane near the
center of the highway set aside for use by vehicles making left turns
in both directions from or into the highway.
(b) Two-way left-turn lanes shall be designated by distinctive
roadway markings consisting of parallel double yellow lines, interior
line dashed and exterior line solid, on each side of the lane. The
Department of Transportation may determine and prescribe standards
and specifications governing length, width, and positioning of the
distinctive pavement markings. All pavement markings designating a
two-way left-turn lane shall conform to the Department of
Transportation's standards and specifications.
(c) A vehicle shall not be driven in a designated two-way
left-turn lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from
or into a highway or when preparing for or making a U-turn when
otherwise permitted by law, and shall not be driven in that lane for
more than 200 feet while preparing for and making the turn or while
preparing to merge into the adjacent lanes of travel. A left turn or
U-turn shall not be made from any other lane where a two-way
left-turn lane has been designated.
(d) This section does not prohibit driving across a two-way
left-turn lane.
(e) Raised pavement markers may be used to simulate the painted
lines described in this section when those markers are placed in
accordance with standards established by the Department of
Transportation.
21461. (a) It shall be unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to fail
to obey any sign or signal erected or maintained to indicate and
carry out the provisions of this code or any local traffic ordinance
or resolution adopted pursuant to a local traffic ordinance, or to
fail to obey any device erected or maintained pursuant to Section
21352.
(b) The provisions of subdivision (a) shall not apply to acts
constituting violations under Chapter 9 (commencing with Section
22500) of this division or to acts constituting violations of any
local traffic ordinance adopted pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing
with Section 22500).
21461.5. It shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to fail to obey
any sign or signal erected or maintained to indicate or carry out the
provisions of this code or any local traffic ordinance or resolution
adopted pursuant to a local traffic ordinance, or to fail to obey
any device erected or maintained pursuant to Section 21352.
21462. The driver of any vehicle, the person in charge of any
animal, any pedestrian, and the motorman of any streetcar shall obey
the instructions of any official traffic signal applicable to him and
placed as provided by law, unless otherwise directed by a police or
traffic officer or when it is necessary for the purpose of avoiding a
collision or in case of other emergency, subject to the exemptions
granted by Section 21055.
21463. No person shall operate a manually or traffic actuated
signal other than for the purpose of permitting a pedestrian or
vehicle to cross a roadway.
21464. (a) No person shall without lawful authority deface, injure,
attach any material or substance to, knock down, or remove, nor
shall any person shoot at, any official traffic control device,
traffic guidepost, traffic signpost, motorist callbox, or historical
marker placed or erected as authorized or required by law, nor shall
any person without lawful authority deface, injure, attach any
material or substance to, or remove, nor shall any person shoot at,
any inscription, shield, or insignia on any such device, guide, or
marker.
(b) No person shall use, and no vehicle, other than an authorized
emergency vehicle, shall be equipped with, any device capable of
sending a signal that interrupts or changes the sequence patterns of
an official traffic control signal unless that device or use is
authorized by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section
21350 or by local authorities pursuant to Section 21351.
(c) Any willful violation of subdivision (a) or (b) which results
in injury to, or the death of, a person is punishable by imprisonment
in the state prison, or imprisonment in a county jail for a period
of not more than six months, and by a fine of not less than five
thousand dollars ($5,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars
($10,000).
(d) Any willful violation of subdivision (a) or (b) which does not
result in injury to, or the death of, a person is punishable by a
fine of not more than three thousand dollars ($3,000).
(e) The court shall allow the offender to perform community
service designated by the court in lieu of all or part of any fine
imposed under this section.
21465. No person shall place, maintain, or display upon, or in view
of, any highway any unofficial sign, signal, device, or marking, or
any sign, signal, device, or marking which purports to be or is an
imitation of, or resembles, an official traffic control device or
which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from
view any official traffic control device.
21466. No person shall place or maintain or display upon or in view
of any highway any light in such position as to prevent the driver
of a vehicle from readily recognizing any official traffic control
device.
21466.5. No person shall place or maintain or display, upon or in
view of any highway, any light of any color of such brilliance as to
impair the vision of drivers upon the highway. A light source shall
be considered vision impairing when its brilliance exceeds the values
listed below.
The brightness reading of an objectionable light source shall be
measured with a 11/2-degree photoelectric brightness meter placed at
the driver's point of view. The maximum measured brightness of the
light source within 10 degrees from the driver's normal line of sight
shall not be more than 1,000 times the minimum measured brightness
in the driver's field of view, except that when the minimum measured
brightness in the field of view is 10 foot-lamberts or less, the
measured brightness of the light source in foot-lambert shall not
exceed 500 plus 100 times the angle, in degrees, between the driver's
line of sight and the light source.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to railroads as
defined in Section 229 of the Public Utilities Code.
21467. Every prohibited sign, signal, device, or light is a public
nuisance, and the Department of Transportation, members of the
California Highway Patrol, and local authorities are hereby
authorized and empowered without notice to remove the same, or cause
the same to be removed, or the Director of Transportation, the
commissioner, or local authorities may bring an action as provided by
law to abate such nuisance.
21468. This division does not modify or limit the authority of the
Public Utilities Commission to erect or maintain, or cause to be
erected and maintained, signs, signals or other traffic control
devices as authorized by law.
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