TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND STOPS

Ann Arbor City Code tit. X, ch. 126, art. IV

in effect

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:26 Traffic-control signals (legend).

10:26. - Traffic-control signals (legend). Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals, exhibiting the words "go", "caution", or "stop", or exhibiting different colored lights successively 1 at a time, or with arrows, the following colors shall be used and the terms and lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows: (1) Green. Green alone or "go". (a) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at that 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) Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk. (2) Yellow. Yellow alone or "caution" when shown following the green or "go" signal. (a) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection or at a limit line, when marked, but if the stop cannot be made in safety, a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection. (b) Pedestrians facing such signal are hereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway, and any pedestrian then starting to cross shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles. (3) Red. Red alone or "Stop". (a) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or at a limit line, when marked, or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown, except as provided in subsection (b). (b) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal, after stopping before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or at a limit line when marked or, if none, then before entering the intersection, shall be privileged to make a right turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 2-way street or into a 1-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the right turn, or a left turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 1-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn, unless prohibited by sign, signal, marking, light, or other traffic control device. The vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (c) No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the street unless he can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic. (4) Steady green arrow indications. (a) Green arrow (steady): Vehicular traffic facing such signal may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (5) Interference with official traffic control devices or railroad signs or signals. No person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down, or remove any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon, or any limit line, or any other part thereof.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:27 Non-intersection signals.

10:27. - Non-intersection signals. In the event a traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:29 Flashing red or yellow signals.

10:29. - Flashing red or yellow signals. Whenever flashing red or yellow signals are used they shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows: (1) Flashing red (stop signals). When a red lens is illuminated by rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign. (2) Flashing yellow (caution signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:30 Railroad gates.

10:30. - Railroad gates. No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:31 Stop signs and yield right-of-way signs.

10:31. - Stop signs and yield right-of-way signs. Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, when there is a stop sign at or near the entrance to any intersection the driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is not a crosswalk shall stop at a clearly marked stop line or if there is not a crosswalk or a clearly marked stop line, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way and may proceed into the intersection only when such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic. Where signs bearing the message "yield right-of-way" are erected upon the approach to an intersection a driver approaching such intersection shall slow to a reasonable speed for existing conditions of traffic and visibility, yielding the right-of-way to all traffic on the intersecting street which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. However, if required for safety to stop, the driver shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is not a crosswalk shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, or if there is not a crosswalk or a clearly marked stop line, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. (Ord. No. 45-00, § 1, 11-9-00)

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:32 Unauthorized display of signs.

10:32. - Unauthorized display of signs. No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view on any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be, or is an imitation of, or resembles a traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal. Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is hereby declared to be a nuisance and the Police Chief is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice. This shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to streets of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that can not be mistaken for traffic signs or signals.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:33 Emerging from alley or private way.

10:33. - Emerging from alley or private way. The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from an alley, private road or driveway shall come to a full stop and yield right-of-way to all vehicles or pedestrians approaching on said highway so close to such point of entry as to constitute an immediate hazard.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:34 Obstructing intersection.

10:34. - Obstructing intersection. Notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication or other right to proceed no driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate his vehicle without obstructing or blocking the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:35 Passing vehicle at intersection.

10:35. - Passing vehicle at intersection. Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:36 Right-of-way.

10:36. - Right-of-way. When 2 vehicles enter an intersection at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right, provided, however, where signs bearing the message "yield right-of-way" are erected upon the approach to an intersection, a driver approaching such sign shall slow to a reasonable speed for existing conditions of traffic and visibility, yielding the right-of-way to all traffic on the intersecting street which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. The driver of any vehicle traveling at an unlawful speed shall forfeit any right-of-way which he might otherwise have hereunder.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:37 Right-of-way—Left turn.

10:37. - Right-of-way—Left turn. The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard, but said driver having so yielded and having given a signal when and as required by this chapter may make such left turn and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection from said opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle making the left turn; provided, that at an intersection at which a traffic signal is located, a driver intending to make a left turn shall permit vehicles bound straight through in the opposite direction which are waiting a go signal to pass through the intersection before making the turn.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:38 Right-of-way—Funeral procession.

10:38. - Right-of-way—Funeral procession. All motor vehicles forming a funeral procession when going to any place of burial, and other authorized processions, shall have the right-of-way over all other vehicles except fire apparatus, ambulances and police patrol vehicles, at any street intersection. Provided, that each vehicle in a funeral procession shall have displayed on the front thereof a flag which shall be white in color, and upon which shall be printed, stamped, or stained a purple cross or the Star of David.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:39 Driving through funeral procession.

10:39. - Driving through funeral procession. No operator of a vehicle shall drive through the vehicles comprising a funeral procession while such funeral procession is in motion except when otherwise directed by a police officer. This provision shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:40 Protection of blind pedestrians.

10:40. - Protection of blind pedestrians. It shall be unlawful for any person, except persons wholly or partially blind, to carry or use upon the public streets and highways of the City of Ann Arbor any canes or walking sticks which are white in color or white with red end or bottom: provided, that such canes or walking sticks may be used upon the streets, highways and other public places of the city by persons wholly or partially blind as a means of protecting them and for the purpose of identifying them to drivers of vehicles and operators of motor driven vehicles and other pedestrians with whom they come in contact on such streets, highways and public places. (a) Any driver of a vehicle, operator of a motor driven vehicle or pedestrian who approaches or comes in contact with a person who is wholly or partially blind carrying a cane or walking stick white in color or white with red end or bottom shall immediately come to a full stop and take such precautions before proceeding as may be necessary to avoid accident or injury to the person so carrying a white cane or walking stick. (b) Any person, other than a person wholly or partially blind, who shall carry such a cane or walking stick as described in above contrary to the provisions of this section 10:40 or who shall fail to heed the approach of any person so carrying such a white cane or walking stick or 1 white in color with red end or bottom or who shall fail to come to a stop upon approaching or coming in contact with a person so carrying such a cane or walking stick or who shall fail to take precaution against accident or injury to such person after coming to a full stop as provided herein, shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this section 10:40 and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $25.00 and costs of prosecution or in default of the payment of such fine and costs, be imprisoned in the Washtenaw County jail for a period not to exceed 10 days.

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:41 Compliance with traffic control devices.

10:41. - Compliance with traffic control devices. No driver of a vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any traffic control device placed in accordance with provisions of this chapter unless at a time otherwise directed by a police officer.

Source: City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mi/ann_arbor/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXTR_CH126TR_ARTIVTRSISTFetched: 11/8/2026