Iowa § 321.257 - 321.257 Official traffic-control signal.

§ 321.257. 321.257 Official traffic-control signal.

1. For the purposes of this section“stop at the official traffic-control signal” means stopping at the first opportunity at either the clearly marked stop line or before entering the crosswalk or before entering the intersection. 2. Official traffic-control signals consisting of colored lights or colored lighted arrows shall regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the following manner: a. A “steady circular red” light means vehicular traffic shall stop. Vehicular traffic shall remain standing until a signal to proceed is shown, or vehicular traffic, unless prohibited by a sign, may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn from the right lane of traffic or another lane designated for right turns, or a left turn from a one-way street to a one-way street from the left lane of traffic or another lane designated for left turns. Turns made under this paragraph shall be made in a manner that does not interfere with other vehicular or pedestrian traffic lawfully using the intersection. Pedestrian traffic facing a steady circular red light shall not enter the roadway unless the pedestrian can safely cross the roadway without interfering with any vehicular traffic. b. A “steady circular yellow” or “steady yellow arrow” light means vehicular traffic is warned that the related green movement is being terminated and vehicular traffic shall no longer proceed into the intersection and shall stop. If the stop cannot be made in safety, a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection. Pedestrian traffic is warned that there is insufficient time to cross the intersection and any pedestrian starting to cross the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles. c. A “steady circular green” light means vehicular traffic may proceed straight, turn right or turn left through the intersection unless otherwise specifically prohibited. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicular and pedestrian traffic lawfully within the intersection. d. A “steady green arrow” light shown alone or with another official traffic-control signal means vehicular traffic may cautiously enter the intersection and proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection. e. A “flashing circular red” light means vehicular traffic shall stop and after stopping may proceed cautiously through the intersection yielding to all vehicles not required to stop or yield which are within the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute a hazard, but then may proceed. f. A “flashing yellow” light means vehicular traffic shall proceed through the intersection or past such signal with caution. g. A “flashing yellow arrow” light shown alone or with another official traffic-control signal means vehicular traffic may cautiously enter the intersection and proceed only in the direction indicated by the arrow. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection and any vehicle on the opposing approach which is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving within the intersection. h. A “don’t walk” or “steady upraised hand” light is a pedestrian signal which means that pedestrian traffic facing the illuminated pedestrian signal shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the pedestrian signal, and pedestrian traffic in the crossing shall proceed to a safety zone. i. A “flashing upraised hand” or “upraised hand with countdown” light is a pedestrian signal which means that pedestrian traffic facing the illuminated pedestrian signal shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the pedestrian signal, and pedestrian traffic in the crossing shall proceed to a safety zone. The “upraised hand with countdown” light is a pedestrian signal that also provides the time remaining for the pedestrian to complete the crossing. j. A “walk” or “walking person” light is a pedestrian signal which means that pedestrian Thu Dec 11 19:40:25 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Section 321.257 (36, 0) §321.257, MOTOR VEHICLES AND LAW OF THE ROAD 2 traffic facing the illuminated pedestrian signal may proceed to cross the roadway in the direction of the pedestrian signal and shall be given the right-of-way by drivers of all vehicles. [C39, §5019.06, 5019.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §321.257, 321.258; C79, 81, §321.257] 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §15, 16; 2017 Acts, ch 15, §1 Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(7)(a), 805.8A(9)(c) For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsections 7 and 9 Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A Thu Dec 11 19:40:25 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Section 321.257 (36, 0)