2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC › Chapter 19: OPERATION › Subchapter 1: RULES OF THE ROAD › 29-A §2057. Traffic-control devices

§2057. Traffic-control devices
An operator shall obey a traffic-control device, unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer. A traffic-control device conforming to the requirements for these devices is presumed to comply with this chapter.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
1.  Lighted devices.
A traffic-control device may emit only the colors green, red and yellow, except for a pedestrian signal carrying a legend. The lights have the following meanings.
A. A green light:
(1) If circular, means the operator may proceed straight through or turn right or left, unless a sign prohibits either turn; or
(2) If an arrow, alone or in combination with another indication, means the operator may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow or other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time.
Notwithstanding the light, the operator must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle or pedestrian lawfully within the intersection or crosswalk.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. A yellow light:
(1) If steady and circular or an arrow, means the operator must take warning that a green light is being terminated or a red light will be exhibited immediately; or
(2) If showing rapid intermittent flashes, means the operator may proceed only with caution.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. A red light, if steady and circular, means:
(1) The operator must stop and remain stationary until an indication to proceed is shown; or
(2) The operator may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping if:
(a) Not prohibited by an appropriate sign such as "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED"; and
(b) The operator executing a turn yields the right-of-way to pedestrians on a crosswalk and to a vehicle having a green signal at the intersection.   [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §36 (RPR); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
C-1. A red light, if a steady arrow, means the operator may not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by that arrow.   [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §37 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
C-2. A red light, if showing rapid intermittent flashes, means the operator must stop and then proceed as if at a stop sign.   [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §37 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
D. Red and yellow illuminated together, means the operator may not enter the intersection, as the intersection is reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §§36, 37 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
2.  Basis for prohibiting turn.
A municipality or the Department of Transportation, in determining whether to prohibit a right turn on a red light, must consider at least the following factors:
A. The proximity to that light of schools, fire stations, residences or institutions for the blind;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. The number of pedestrians using the intersection; and   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. The complexity of the intersection.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
3.  Lane direction control devices.
When lane direction control devices are placed over the individual lanes, an operator may travel in a lane over which a green signal is shown, but may not enter or travel in a lane over which a red signal is shown.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
4.  Located other than at an intersection.
If a traffic control device is located at a place other than an intersection, this section is applicable except as to those provisions that by their nature can have no application.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
5.  Pedestrians.
Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal, a pedestrian facing:
A. A green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the way within a marked or unmarked crosswalk;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. A steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal, may not start to cross the way, as there is insufficient time to cross before a red indication is shown; or   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. A steady circular red signal or a steady red arrow, may not enter the way.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
6.  Pedestrian control devices.
When a pedestrian control device exhibiting the words "walk" and "don't walk" is used, it indicates as follows.
A. A pedestrian facing a "walk" signal may proceed across the way in the direction of the signal and must be given the right-of-way.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. A pedestrian may not start to cross a way in the direction of a "don't walk" signal, but a pedestrian who has partially completed crossing may proceed to a sidewalk or safety island.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
7.  Stop signs.
Unless directed to proceed by a law enforcement officer or traffic control device, an operator of a vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop and:
A. Yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that has entered the intersection or that is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard; and   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. Having yielded, an operator may proceed. All other operators approaching the intersection shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle so proceeding.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
8.  Place of stop.
A stop must be made before entering the intersecting way as follows:
A. Where the intersection is regulated by a traffic control device, at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop is to be made or, in the absence of a sign or marking, at the device; or   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. Where the intersection is regulated by a stop sign, before entering the crosswalk or, in the absence of a cross walk, at a marked stop line; but if there is no stop line, at a point nearest the intersecting way where the operator has a view of approaching traffic.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
9.  Evidence.
The placing of a traffic control device in a position approximately conforming to this chapter is prima facie evidence that the device has been placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
10.  Failure to yield; criminal offense.
A person commits a Class E crime if the person operates a vehicle past a yield sign and collides with a vehicle, person riding a bicycle or pedestrian proceeding on the intersecting way.
[PL 2015, c. 164, §4 (AMD).]
10-A.  Failure to yield; traffic infraction.
A person commits a traffic infraction if the person operates a vehicle or a bicycle past a yield sign and fails to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle, person riding a bicycle or pedestrian proceeding on the intersecting way.
[PL 2015, c. 164, §5 (AMD).]
11.  Avoidance of traffic control device prohibited.
An operator may not operate a motor vehicle through a parking area to avoid obeying or conforming to the requirements of a traffic control device.
[PL 1999, c. 183, §9 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1999, c. 183, §9 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §§Q36,37 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §X2 (AFF). PL 2007, c. 348, §§21, 22 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 164, §§4, 5 (AMD).