ORS 811.260
Appropriate driver responses to traffic control devices
(1)
Green signal. A driver facing a green light may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at that place prohibits either turn. A driver shall yield the right of way to other vehicles within the intersection at the time the green light is shown.(2)
Green arrow. A driver facing a green arrow signal light, shown alone or in combination with another signal, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow or such other movement as is permitted by other signals shown at the same time.(3)
Green bicycle signal. A bicyclist facing a green bicycle signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at that place prohibits either turn. The bicyclist shall yield the right of way to other vehicles within the intersection at the time the green bicycle signal is shown.(4)
Steady circular yellow signal. A driver facing a steady circular yellow signal light is thereby warned that the related right of way is being terminated and that a red or flashing red light will be shown immediately. A driver facing the light shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, shall stop before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, then before entering the intersection. If a driver cannot stop in safety, the driver may drive cautiously through the intersection.(5)
Steady yellow arrow signal. A driver facing a steady yellow arrow signal, alone or in combination with other signal indications, is thereby warned that the related right of way is being terminated. Unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another signal, a driver facing a steady yellow arrow signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, shall stop before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, then before entering the intersection. If a driver cannot stop in safety, the driver may drive cautiously through the intersection.(6)
Steady yellow bicycle signal. A bicyclist facing a steady yellow bicycle signal is thereby warned that the related right of way is being terminated and that a red bicycle signal will be shown immediately. A bicyclist facing a steady yellow bicycle signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, shall stop before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, then before entering the intersection. If a bicyclist cannot stop in safety, the bicyclist may proceed cautiously through the intersection.(7)
Steady circular red signal. A driver facing a steady circular red signal light alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, then before entering the intersection. The driver shall remain stopped until a green light is shown except when the driver is permitted to proceed under ORS 811.360 (Vehicle turns permitted at stop light).(8)
Steady red arrow signal. A driver facing a steady red arrow signal, alone or in combination with other signal indications, may not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the red arrow signal. Unless entering the intersection to make some other movement which is permitted by another signal, a driver facing a steady red arrow signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, then before entering the intersection. The vehicle shall remain stopped until a green light is shown except when the driver is permitted to proceed under ORS 811.360 (Vehicle turns permitted at stop light).(9)
Steady red bicycle signal. A bicyclist facing a steady red bicycle signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, then before entering the intersection. The bicyclist shall remain stopped until a green bicycle signal is shown except when the bicyclist is permitted to proceed under ORS 811.360 (Vehicle turns permitted at stop light).(10)
Traffic control devices at places other than intersections. If a traffic control device that is a signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section relating to signals shall be applicable. A required stop shall be made at a sign or marking on the roadway indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.(11)
Flashing red signal. When a driver approaches a flashing red light used in a traffic control device or with a traffic sign, the driver shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering it. The right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign. This subsection does not apply to:(a)
A person operating a bicycle; or(b)
Drivers at railroad grade crossings. Conduct of a driver approaching a railroad grade crossing is governed by ORS 811.455 (Failure to stop for railroad signal).(12)
Flashing circular yellow signal. When a driver facing a flashing circular yellow signal approaches an intersection, the driver may cautiously enter the intersection to proceed straight through, turn right or turn left except as such movement is modified by lane use signs, turn prohibition signs, lane markings, roadway design, separate turn signal indications or other traffic control devices. This subsection does not apply at railroad grade crossings. Conduct of a driver approaching a railroad grade crossing is governed by ORS 811.455 (Failure to stop for railroad signal).(13)
Flashing yellow arrow signal. A driver facing a flashing yellow arrow signal, alone or in combination with other signal indications, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the flashing yellow arrow signal or the movement permitted by other signals shown at the same time. A driver shall yield the right of way to other vehicles within the intersection at the time the flashing yellow arrow signal is shown. In addition, a driver turning left shall yield the right of way to other vehicles approaching from the opposite direction so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the turning vehicle is moving across or within the intersection.(14)
Lane direction control signals. When lane direction control signals are placed over the individual lanes of a highway, a person may drive a vehicle in any lane over which a green signal light is shown, but may not enter or travel in any lane over which a red signal light is shown.(15)
Stop signs. A driver approaching a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if there is no marked crosswalk, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering it. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching so close as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the driver is moving across or within the intersection. This subsection does not apply to a person operating a bicycle.(16)
Yield signs. A driver approaching a yield sign shall slow the driver’s vehicle to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and if necessary for safety, shall stop at a line as required for stop signs under this section, and shall yield the right of way to any vehicles in the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard.(17)
Flashing yellow beacon. When a flashing yellow beacon is used to supplement another traffic control device, a driver shall pay extra attention to the message provided by the beacon and follow the requirements of the other traffic control device, which might not be otherwise applicable at all times. [1983 c.338 §609; 1989 c.539 §1; 1997 c.507 §6; 2003 c.278 §6; 2011 c.168 §1; 2015 c.147 §2; 2019 c.683 §4; 2021 c.630 §16]
Source:
Section 811.260 — Appropriate driver responses to traffic control devices, https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors811.html.
Notes of Decisions
Under former similar statute (ORS 487.125)
In action against defendant city for injury connected with “locked” traffic signal, this section did not mean that signal did not malfunction just because it gave steady signal. Menke v. Bruce, 88 Or App 107, 744 P2d 291 (1987)
Under former similar statute (ORS 487.255)
Instruction in words of this section that “after stopping, driver shall yield right of way to any vehicle in intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute immediate hazard during time when driver is moving across or within intersection” was adequate, and court was not required to give defendant’s requested “immediate hazard” instruction. Collins v. Vann, 37 Or App 535, 588 P2d 52 (1978)
In general
Where defendant’s vehicle crossed over stop line before halting, officer had probable cause to believe that defendant committed traffic infraction of failing to obey stop sign because this section requires vehicle to cease movement before crossing stop line or, if none, before entering crosswalk or intersecting roadway. State v. Posey, 303 Or App 246, 463 P3d 551 (2020)
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