HOUSE BILL No. 4213 February 9, 1999, Introduced by Reps. Schermesser, DeHart, Schauer, Jamnick, Bogardus, Hale, O'Neil, Mans and Wojno and referred to the Committee on Criminal Law and Corrections. A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled "Michigan vehicle code," by amending section 612 (MCL 257.612), as amended by 1990 PA 33. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT: 1 Sec. 612. (1) When traffic is controlled by traffic control 2 signals, not less than 1 signal shall be located over the trav- 3 eled portion of the roadway so as to give drivers a clear indica- 4 tion of the right of way assignment from their normal positions 5 approaching the intersection. The vehicle signals shall exhibit 6 different colored lights successively, 1 at a time, or with 7 arrows. Red arrow and yellow arrow indications have the same 8 meaning as the corresponding circular indications, except that 9 they apply only to drivers of vehicles intending to make the 10 movement indicated by the arrow. The following colors shall be 00673'99 TJS 2 1 used and the terms and lights shall indicate and shall apply to 2 drivers of vehicles as follows: 3 (a) If the signal exhibits a green indication, vehicular 4 traffic facing the signal, except when prohibited under section 5 664, may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a 6 sign at that place prohibits either turn. Vehicular traffic, 7 including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right 8 of way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the 9 intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is 10 exhibited. 11 (b) If the signal exhibits a steady yellow indication, 12 vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering 13 the nearest crosswalk at the intersection or at a limit line when 14 marked, but if the stop cannot be made in safety, a vehicle may 15 be driven cautiously through the intersection. 16 (c) If the signal exhibits a steady red indication, the fol- 17 lowing shall apply: 18 (i) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall 19 stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the inter- 20 section or at a limit line when marked or, if there is no cross- 21 walk or limit line, before entering the intersection, and shall 22 remain standing until a green indication is shown, except as pro- 23 vided in subparagraph (ii). 24 (ii) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal, after 25 stopping before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the 26 intersection or at a limit line when marked or, if there is no 27 crosswalk or limit line, before entering the intersection, may 00673'99 3 1 make a right turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 2-way 2 street or into a 1-way street carrying traffic in the direction 3 of the right turn; or a left turn from a 1-way or 2-way street 4 into a 1-way roadway carrying traffic in the direction of the 5 left turn unless prohibited by sign, signal, marking, light, or 6 other traffic control device. The vehicular traffic shall yield 7 the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent 8 crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. 9 (d) If the signal exhibits a steady green arrow indication, 10 vehicular traffic facing the green arrow signal, shown alone or 11 in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the 12 intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow, or 13 other movement permitted by other indications shown at the same 14 time. The vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to 15 pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other 16 traffic lawfully using the intersection. 17 (2) If a traffic control signal is erected and maintained at 18 a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this sec- 19 tion shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by 20 their nature cannot have application. Any stop required shall be 21 made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the 22 stop shall be made, but, in the absence of a sign or marking, the 23 stop shall be made at the signal. 24 (3) A person who violates subsection (1) or (2) is responsi- 25 ble for a civil infraction. 26 (4) A driver of a vehicle who approaches a person using a 27 wheelchair or a device to aid the person to walk at a crosswalk 00673'99 4 1 or any other pedestrian crossing shall take such precautions as 2 may be necessary to avoid accident or injury to the person using 3 the wheelchair or device. A person who violates this subsection 4 is guilty of a misdemeanor PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT 5 MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OR A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $500.00, OR BOTH. 6 (5) A sign prohibiting a turn on a red signal as provided in 7 subsection (1)(c)(ii) shall be located above or adjacent to the 8 traffic control signal or as close as possible to the point where 9 the turn is made, or at both locations, so that 1 or more of the 10 signs are visible to a driver intending to turn, at the point 11 where the turn is made. An additional sign may be used at the 12 far side of the intersection in the direct line of vision of the 13 turning driver. 00673'99 Final page. TJS