Chapter 313: Traffic Control Devices

Sections

Cross references

  • See sectional histories for similar State law
  • Designation of through streets or stop intersections - see Ohio R.C. 4511.07(F), 4511.65
  • Uniform system of traffic control devices - see Ohio R.C. 4511.09, 4511.11(D)
  • Placing and maintaining local traffic control devices - see Ohio R.C. 4511.10, 4511.11
  • Traffic control devices defined - TRAF. 301.46

313.01   Obedience to traffic control devices

  1. (a) No pedestrian or driver of a vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any traffic control device placed in accordance with the provisions of this Traffic Code, unless at the time otherwise directed by a police officer.

    No provisions of this Traffic Code for which signs are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official sign is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section of this Traffic Code does not state that signs are required, that section shall be effective even though no signs are erected or in place.

  2. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

    If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under Section 303.991 of the Traffic Code.
    (ORC 4511.12)

313.02   Through streets; stop and yield right-of-way signs

  1. (a) All State routes are hereby designated as through streets or highways, provided that stop signs, yield signs or traffic control signals shall be erected at all intersections with such through streets or highways, except as otherwise provided in this section. Where two or more State routes that are through streets or highways intersect and no traffic control signal is in operation, stop signs or yield signs shall be erected at one or more entrances thereto by the Ohio Department of Transportation, except as otherwise provided in this section.

    Whenever the Ohio Director of Transportation determines on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that stop signs are necessary to stop traffic on a through highway for safe and efficient operation, nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent such installations. When circumstances warrant, the Director also may omit stop signs on roadways intersecting through highways under his jurisdiction. Before the Director either installs or removes a stop sign under this paragraph, he shall give notice, in writing, of that proposed action to the Municipality at least thirty days before installing or removing the stop sign.

  2. (b) Other streets or highways or portions thereof, are hereby designated through streets or highways, if they are within the Municipality, if they have a continuous length of more than one mile between the limits of such street or highway or portion thereof, and if they have “stop” or “yield” signs or traffic control signals at the entrances of the majority of intersecting streets or highways. For purposes of this section, the limits of such street or highway or portion thereof, shall be a municipal corporation line, the physical terminus of the street or highway or any point on such street or highway at which vehicular traffic thereon is required by regulatory signs to stop or yield to traffic on the intersecting street, provided that in residence districts the Municipality may by ordinance designate such street or highway, or portion thereof, not to be a through highway and thereafter the affected residence district shall be indicated by official traffic control devices. Where two or more streets or highways designated under this subsection (b) intersect and no traffic control signal is in operation, stop signs or yield signs shall be erected at one or more entrances thereto by the Ohio Department of Transportation or by Council or the authorized local authority, except as otherwise provided in this section.

  3. (c) Stop signs need not be erected at intersections so constructed as to permit traffic to safely enter a through street or highway without coming to a stop. Signs shall be erected at such intersections indicating that the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to or merge with all traffic proceeding on the through street or highway.

  4. (d) Council or the authorized local authority may designate additional through streets or highways and shall erect stop signs, yield signs or traffic control signals at all streets and highways intersecting such through streets or highways, or may designate any intersection as a stop or yield intersection and shall erect like signs at one or more entrances to such intersection.
    (ORC 4511.65)

313.03   Traffic signal indications

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

  1. (a) Steady Green Signal Indication:

    1. (1)

      1. (A) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal indication is permitted to proceed straight through or turn right or left, or make a u-turn movement except as such movement is modified by a lane- use sign, turn prohibition sign, lane marking, roadway design, separate turn signal indication, or other traffic control device. 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:

        1. (1) Pedestrians lawfully within an associated crosswalk;

        2. (2) Other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.

      2. (B) In addition, vehicular traffic turning left or making a u-turn movement 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. (2) Vehicular traffic facing a green 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 such other movement as is permitted by other indications displayed at the same time. 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:

      1. (A) Pedestrians lawfully within an associated crosswalk.

      2. (B) Other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

    3. (3)

      1. (A) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication, as provided in Section 313.05, pedestrians facing a circular green signal indication are permitted to proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked associated crosswalk. The pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection or so close as to create an immediate hazard at the time that the green signal indication is first displayed.

      2. (B) Pedestrians facing a green arrow signal indication, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication or other traffic control device, shall not cross the roadway.

  2. (b) Steady Yellow Signal Indication:

    1. (1) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow signal indication is thereby warned that the related green movement or the related flashing arrow movement is being terminated or that a steady red signal indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection. The provisions governing vehicular operation under the movement being terminated shall continue to apply while the steady circular yellow signal indication is displayed.

    2. (2) Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow arrow signal indication is thereby warned that the related green arrow movement or the related flashing arrow movement is being terminated. The provisions governing vehicular operation under the movement being terminated shall continue to apply while the steady yellow arrow signal indication is displayed.

    3. (3) Pedestrians facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal indication, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication as provided in Section 313.05 or other traffic control device, shall not start to cross the roadway.

  3. (c) Steady Red Signal Indication:

    1. (1)

      1. (A) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red signal indication, unless entering the intersection to make another movement permitted by another signal indication, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line; but if there is no stop line, traffic shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection; or if there is no crosswalk, before then before entering the intersection; and shall remain stopped until a signal indication to proceed is displayed except as provided in subsections (c)(1), (2) and (3) of this section.

      2. (B) Except when a traffic control device is in place prohibiting a turn on red or a steady red arrow signal indication is displayed, vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red signal indication is permitted, after stopping, to enter the intersection to turn right, or to turn left from a one- way street into a one-way street. The right to proceed with the turn shall be subject to the provisions that are applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

    2. (2)

      1. (A) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow signal indication shall not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless entering the intersection to make another movement permitted by another 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, then before entering the intersection; and shall remain stopped until a signal indication or other traffic control device permitting the movement indicated by such red arrow is displayed.

      2. (B) When a traffic control device is in place permitting a turn on a steady red arrow signal indication, vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow indication is permitted, after stopping, to enter the intersection to turn right or to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street. The right to proceed with the turn shall be limited to the direction indicated by the arrow, and shall be subject to the provisions that are applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

    3. (3) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal indication as provided in Section 313.05 or other traffic control device, pedestrians facing a steady circular red or steady red arrow signal indication shall not enter the roadway.

    4. (4) Local authorities by ordinance, or the Director of Transportation on State highways, may prohibit a right or a left turn against a steady red signal at any intersection, which shall be effective when signs giving notice thereof are posted at the intersection.

  4. (d) Flashing Green Signal Indication. A flashing green signal indication has no meaning and shall not be used.

  5. (e) Flashing Yellow Signal Indication:

    1. (1)

      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:

        1. (1) Pedestrians lawfully within an associated crosswalk;

        2. (2) Other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.

      2. (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. (2)

      1. (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:

        1. (1) Pedestrians lawfully within an associated crosswalk;

        2. (2) Other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.

      2. (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. (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. (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.

  6. (f) Flashing Red Signal Indication:

    1. (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. (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. (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.

  7. (g) General Application: 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.

  8. (h) Exception. This section does not apply at railroad grade crossings. Conduct of drivers of vehicles approaching railroad grade crossings shall be governed by Ohio R.C. 4511.61 and 4511.62.
    (ORC 4511.13)

313.04   Lane-use control signal indications

  1. (a) The meanings of lane-use control signal indications are as follows:

    1. (1) A steady downward green arrow: A road user is permitted to drive in the lane over which the arrow signal indication is located.

    2. (2) A steady yellow “X”: A road user is to prepare to vacate the lane over which the signal indication is located because a lane control change is being made to a steady red “X” signal indication.

    3. (3) A steady white two-way left-turn arrow: A road user is permitted to use a lane over which the signal indication is located for a left turn, but not for through travel, with the understanding that common use of the lane by oncoming road users for left turns also is permitted.

    4. (4) A steady white one-way left-turn arrow: A road user is permitted to use a lane over which the signal indication is located for a left turn, without opposing turns in the same lane, but not for through travel.

    5. (5) A steady red “X”: A road user is not permitted to use the lane over which the signal indication is located and that this signal indication shall modify accordingly the meaning of other traffic controls present.
      (ORC 4511.131)

  2. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
    (ORC 4511.99)

313.05   Special pedestrian control signals

  1. (a) Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words “walk” or “don’t walk”, or the symbol of a walking person or an upraised palm are in place, such signals shall indicate the following instructions:

    1. (1) A steady walking person signal indication, which symbolizes “walk”, means that a pedestrian facing the signal indication is permitted to start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal indication, possibly in conflict with turning vehicles. The pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection at the time that the walking person signal indication is first shown.

    2. (2) A flashing upraised hand signal indication, which symbolizes “don’t walk”, means that a pedestrian shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal indication, but that any pedestrian who has already started to cross on a steady walking person signal indication shall proceed to the far side of the traveled way of the street or highway, unless otherwise directed by a traffic control device to proceed only to the median of a divided highway or only to some other island or pedestrian refuge area.

    3. (3) A steady upraised hand signal indication means that a pedestrian shall not enter the roadway in the direction of the signal indication.

    4. (4) Nothing int his section shall be construed to invalidate the continued use of pedestrian control signals utilizing the word “wait” if those signals were installed prior to March 28, 1985.

    5. (5) A flashing walking person signal indication has no meaning and shall not be used.
      (ORC 4511.14)

  2. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
    (ORC 4511.99)

313.06   Flashing traffic signals

(Former Ohio R.C. 4511.15 from which Section 313.06 was derived was repealed by House Bill 349, effective April 20, 2012.)

313.07   Unauthorized signs and signals, hiding from view, advertising

  1. (a) No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be, is an imitation of or resembles a traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal, and no person shall place or maintain, nor shall any public authority permit upon any street any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising. This section does not prohibit either the erection upon private property adjacent to streets of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for traffic control devices, or the erection upon private property of traffic control devices by the owner of real property in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4511.211 and 4511.432.

    Every such prohibited sign, signal, marking or device is a public nuisance, and the Police Chief is authorized to remove it or cause it to be removed.

  2. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
    (ORC 4511.16)

313.08   Alteration, injury, removal of traffic control devices

  1. (a) No person without lawful authority, shall do any of the following:

    1. (1) Knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy or otherwise improperly tamper with any traffic control device, any railroad sign or signal, or any inscription, shield or insignia on the device, sign or signal, or any part of the device, sign or signal;

    2. (2) Knowingly drive upon or over any freshly applied pavement marking material on the surface of a roadway while the marking material is in an undried condition and is marked by flags, markers, signs or other devices intended to protect it;

    3. (3) Knowingly move, damage, destroy or otherwise improperly tamper with a manhole cover.

  2. (b)

    1. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates subsection (a)(1) or (3) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. If a violation of subsection (a)(1) or (3) of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. If a violation of subsection (a)(1) or (3) of this section causes serious physical harm to property that is owned, leased, or controlled by a state or local authority, the offender is guilty of a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate state law.

    2. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates subsection (a)(2) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates subsection (a)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates subsection (a)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
      (ORC 4511.17)

313.09   Driver’s duties upon approaching ambiguous or non-working traffic signal

  1. (a) The driver of a vehicle who approaches an intersection where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals shall do all of the following if the signal facing the driver exhibits no colored lights or colored lighted arrows, exhibits a combination of such lights or arrows that fails to clearly indicate the assignment of right of way, or, if the vehicle is a bicycle or an electric bicycle, the signals are otherwise malfunctioning due to the failure of a vehicle detector to detect the presence of the bicycle or electric bicycle.

    1. (1) Stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, stop before entering the intersection;

    2. (2) Yield the right of way to all vehicles in the intersection or approaching on an intersecting road, if the vehicles will constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways.

    3. (3) Exercise ordinary care while proceeding through the intersection.

  2. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

    If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under Section 303.991 of the Traffic Code.
    (ORC 4511.132)

313.10   Unlawful purchase, possession or sale

  1. (a) As used in this section, “traffic control device” means any sign, traffic control signal or other device conforming to and placed or erected in accordance with the manual adopted under Ohio R.C. 4511.09 by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic, including signs denoting the names of streets and highways, but does not mean any pavement marking.

  2. (b) No individual shall buy or otherwise possess or sell, a traffic control device, except when one of the following applies:

    1. (1) In the course of the individual’s employment by the State or a local authority for the express or implied purpose of manufacturing, providing, erecting, moving or removing such a traffic control device;

    2. (2) In the course of the individual’s employment by any manufacturer of traffic control devices other than a State or local authority;

    3. (3) For the purpose of demonstrating the design and function of a traffic control device to State or local officials;

    4. (4) When the traffic control device has been purchased from the State or a local authority at a sale of property that is no longer needed or is unfit for use;

    5. (5) The traffic control device has been properly purchased from a manufacturer for use on private property and the person possessing the device has a sales receipt for the device or other acknowledgment of sale issued by the manufacturer.

  3. (c) This section does not preclude, and shall not be construed as precluding, prosecution for theft in violation of Ohio R.C. 2913.02 or a municipal ordinance relating to theft, or for receiving stolen property in violation of Ohio R.C. 2913.51 or a municipal ordinance relating to receiving stolen property.

  4. (d) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
    (ORC 4511.18)

313.11   Portable signal preemption devices prohibited

  1. (a)

    1. (1) No person shall possess a portable signal preemption device.

    2. (2) No person shall use a portable signal preemption device to affect the operation of a traffic control signal.

  2. (b) Subsection (a)(1) of this section does not apply to any of the following persons and subsection (a)(2) of this section does not apply to any of the following persons when responding to an emergency call:

    1. (1) A peace officer, as defined in Ohio R.C. 109.71(A)(11), (12), (14) or (19);

    2. (2) A State highway patrol trooper;

    3. (3) A person while occupying a public safety vehicle as defined in Ohio R.C. 4511.01(E)(1), (3) or (4).

  3. (c) Whoever violates subsection (a)(1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Whoever violates subsection (a)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

  4. (d) As used in this section, “portable signal preemption device” means a device that, if activated by a person, is capable of changing a traffic control signal to green out of sequence.
    (ORC 4513.031)