SF1836

Purpose

• To tell how traffic signals should work in Minnesota and to limit when police can issue citations to pedestrians for signal-related behaviors. It clarifies pedestrian crossing rules at intersections and crosswalks, and sets conditions under which drivers and pedestrians must yield to each other.

Main Provisions

• Traffic-control signals: Signals may show Green, Yellow, and Red. Some signals may include a green or red arrow, or a pedestrian signal with words or symbols. Special pedestrian signals are allowed.

• Green indication (vehicles and pedestrians):

  • Vehicles facing a circular green light may go straight or turn, but must yield to other vehicles and to pedestrians in the intersection or crosswalk.
  • Vehicles facing a green arrow may enter the intersection to move as indicated by the arrow, and must still yield to pedestrians and other traffic as required.
  • Pedestrians may cross on a green signal (except when the green signal is only a turn arrow). Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

• Yellow indication:

  • Vehicles facing a steady yellow light are warned that the green movement is ending and should not enter the intersection, except for clear green-arrow movements that continue.
  • Pedestrians facing a yellow signal are advised there is not enough time to cross safely and should not start crossing unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal.

• Red indication:

  • Vehicles facing a circular red light must stop, and may turn right on red after stopping if not prohibited by signs, and must yield to pedestrians and other traffic as directed.
  • Vehicles on certain one-way-to-one-way streets may turn left on red after stopping if allowed by signs, and must yield to pedestrians and traffic.
  • Pedestrians facing a red signal alone may not enter the roadway.
  • Red arrow signals require stopping and waiting for a permissible signal to move; turning on a red arrow is allowed in some cases on a one-way to a one-way street if permitted by signs, with yield obligations.

• Nonstandard or non-intersection signals:

  • If a traffic-control signal is at a place other than an intersection, the same rules apply based on signs or markings at that location.

• Pedestrian signals and signs:

  • If a pedestrian-control signal is present, pedestrians must follow it. Signals with words or symbols are allowed to guide pedestrians.

• Enforcement and citations to pedestrians:

  • A peace officer is not allowed to stop, detain, or issue a citation to a pedestrian for certain pedestrian-signal violations (specifically those connected to yellow and red-pedestrian indications) unless:
  • The officer stops the pedestrian for an unrelated violation, or
  • At the time of the violation a vehicle is approaching in a way that could cause a collision with the pedestrian.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Limits police authority to issue citations to pedestrians for some signal-related violations, particularly those tied to yellow or red pedestrian indications.
• Reinforces the mutual duty to yield between drivers and pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks, and clarifies when and how turns (including on red) are allowed.
• Codifies detailed behavior for both vehicles and pedestrians for each traffic signal color and for green arrows, ensuring clearer expectations at intersections and for crosswalks.

Practical Implications

• Pedestrians may experience fewer citations for certain signal-crossing situations, provided they cross in accordance with signals and signs.
• Drivers must be especially attentive to pedestrians when green signals and crosswalks are present, and must yield as required.
• Law enforcement guidelines in practice will emphasize safety and may focus citations on unsafe vehicle behavior or hazards rather than pedestrian-signal violations in some cases.

Relevant Terms - traffic-control signal - pedestrian-control signal - crosswalk - intersection - Green signal - Yellow signal - Red signal - Green arrow - Red arrow - yield the right of way - oneway street - stop line - sign or marking - stop sign - official sign - pedestrian - Vehicle - Peace officer - citation - hazard of collision - motion permitted by arrow - lawful traffic operation