North Dakota § 39-10-05 - Traffic-control signal legend

Full text of North Dakota North Dakota Century Code § 39-10-05 — Traffic-control signal legend, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 39-10-05. Traffic-control signal legend

Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red, and yellow may be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word or legend, and said lights must indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows: 1. Green indications: a. Vehicular traffic facing a circular green indication may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But 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 crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited. b. Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow indication, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. c. Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided for in section 39-10-06, pedestrians facing any green indication, except when the sole green indication is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk. 2. Steady yellow indication: a. Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow indication is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic may not enter the intersection. b. Pedestrians facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow indication, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided for in section 39-10-06, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian may then start to cross the roadway. 3. Steady red indication: a. Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red indication alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided for in subdivision c. b. Vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow indication may not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another indication, must stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection and must remain standing until an indication permitting the movement indicated by the red arrow is shown except as provided for in subdivision c. c. Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic facing any steady red indication may cautiously enter the intersection to turn right, or to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street, after stopping as required by subdivisions a and b. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. d. 4. Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided for in section 39-10-06, pedestrians facing a steady circular red or red arrow indication alone may not enter the roadway. In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section are applicable, except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required must be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop must be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop must be made at the signal.

Source: official North Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About North Dakota § 39-10-05

What does North Dakota Century Code § 39-10-05 cover?

Section 39-10-05 ("Traffic-control signal legend") is part of the North Dakota Century Code, the codified statutory law of North Dakota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite North Dakota § 39-10-05?

A common citation format is "North Dakota Century Code § 39-10-05" (North Dakota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of North Dakota law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Dakota attorney.

How does North Dakota § 39-10-05 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Dakota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Dakota.