CHAPTER 3. TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

IC 9-21-3
     Chapter 3. Traffic Control Signals

IC 9-21-3-1
Standards and specifications
    
Sec. 1. Each traffic control signal on a street or highway within Indiana must conform with the standards, specifications, and warrants set forth in the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-2
Installation; traffic engineering studies; vicinity of schools; special hearing
    
Sec. 2. (a) Each traffic signal installation on a street or highway within Indiana may be erected only after the completion of traffic engineering studies that verify that the traffic signal control is necessary as set forth in the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
    (b) If:
        (1) the proposed installation is in the immediate vicinity of a school; and
        (2) the installation does not meet the requirements of this section;
the governmental unit responsible for the control of traffic at the location shall grant a special hearing on the question to a person who has properly petitioned for the installation of a traffic signal.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-3
Removal of nonconforming signals
    
Sec. 3. Each traffic signal upon a street or highway in Indiana that does not conform to this chapter shall be removed by the governmental agency having jurisdiction over the highway.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-4
Department of transportation; duties
    
Sec. 4. The Indiana department of transportation is responsible for the control of all traffic signals on the state highway system.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-5

Property of department of transportation
    
Sec. 5. A traffic signal installation on a state route is the property of the Indiana department of transportation.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-6
Public or private agencies; erection of signs; written permission      Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a public or private agency may not erect a traffic control device on a state maintained highway without the written permission of the Indiana department of transportation.
    (b) This subsection applies to the installation of traffic signals on a state highway in a city or town. The Indiana department of transportation shall:
        (1) install any signal that meets the standards, specifications, and warrants set forth in the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; or
        (2) grant written permission to a city or town to erect the signal if it is not possible for the state immediately to install the signal.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-7
Signals exhibiting colored lights or arrows; requirements; explanation of colors
    
Sec. 7. (a) Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights or colored lighted arrows successively, one (1) at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red, or yellow may be used, except for special pedestrian signals under IC 9-21-18.
    (b) The lights indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
        (1) Green indication means the following:
            (A) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left, unless a sign at the place prohibits either turn.
            (B) Vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent sidewalk at the time the signal is exhibited.
            (C) Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the green arrow or other movement permitted by other indications shown at the same time.
            (D) Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
            (E) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal, pedestrians facing a green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
        (2) Steady yellow indication means the following:
            (A) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is warned that the related green movement is being terminated and that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter.
            (B) A pedestrian facing a steady circular yellow or yellow

arrow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal, is advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and a pedestrian may not start to cross the roadway at that time.
        (3) Steady red indication means the following:
            (A) Except as provided in clause (B), vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line. However, if there is no clearly marked stop line, vehicular traffic shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no crosswalk, vehicular traffic shall stop before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown.
            (B) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn described in this subdivision, vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal, after coming to a complete stop, may cautiously enter the intersection to do the following:
                (i) Make a right turn.
                (ii) Make a left turn if turning from the left lane of a one-way street into another one-way street with the flow of traffic.
            Vehicular traffic making a turn described in this subdivision shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic using the intersection.
            (C) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal pedestrians facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal may not enter the roadway.
        (4) No indication or conflicting indications means the following:
            (A) Vehicular traffic facing an intersection having a signal that displays no indication or conflicting indications, where no other control is present, shall stop before entering the intersection.
            (B) After stopping, vehicular traffic may proceed with caution through the intersection and shall yield the right-of-way to traffic within the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard.
        (5) This section applies to traffic control signals located at a place other than an intersection. A stop required under this subdivision must be made at the signal, except when the signal is supplemented by a sign or pavement marking indicating where the stop must be made.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.8-2010, SEC.2.

IC 9-21-3-8
Red or yellow flashing signals
    
Sec. 8. (a) This section does not apply at railroad grade crossings.
    (b) Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic signal or with a traffic sign, vehicular traffic shall obey the signal in the following manner:         (1) Flashing red (stop signal) means the following:
            (A) When a red lens is illuminated by rapid intermittent flashes, a person who drives a vehicle shall stop at a clearly marked stop line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection.
            (B) If no line exists, the person shall stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the person has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the roadway.
            (C) The right to proceed is subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
        (2) Flashing yellow (caution signal) means that when a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, a person who drives a vehicle may proceed through the intersection or past the signal only with caution.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-9
Individual lane use control signals
    
Sec. 9. When lane use control signals are placed over individual lanes, the signals apply to vehicular traffic as follows:
        (1) Green indication (downward green arrows) means vehicular traffic may travel in any lane over which a green signal is shown.
        (2) Steady yellow indication (yellow X symbol) means vehicular traffic is warned that a lane control change is being made.
        (3) Steady red indication (red X symbol) means vehicular traffic may not enter or travel in a lane over which a red signal is shown.
        (4) Flashing yellow indication (yellow X symbol) means vehicular traffic may use the lane only for the purpose of approaching and making a left turn.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-10
Street cars; obeyance of signals
    
Sec. 10. The motorman of a street car shall obey traffic control signals that are applicable to vehicles.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

IC 9-21-3-11
Violations; Class C infraction
    
Sec. 11. A person who violates section 7, 8, 9, or 10 of this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.