The chief of police is authorized, and as to those signs and
signals required under this title it shall be his or her duty, to
place and maintain or cause to be placed and maintained all official
traffic signs, signals, markings and safety zones. All signs, signals,
markings and safety zones shall conform to the standards as prescribed
by the Department of Public Works of the commonwealth.
(Prior revision § 12-28; C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
No driver of any vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any
official traffic-control signal, sign, marking, marker or legend,
unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(Prior revision § 12-29; C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
A. Sections
10.08.030 and
10.08.040, and Sections
10.32.020,
10.32.150,
10.32.170 and 10.32.180 relating to parking, and Sections
10.12.070 and
10.20.020 concerning turning, shall be effective only during such time as a sufficient number of official signs are erected and maintained in each block designating the provisions of such sections and located so as to be easily visible to approaching drivers.
B. Sections
relating to one-way streets shall be effective only during such time
as a sufficient number of official signs are erected and maintained
at each of the exits for each one-way street, so that at least one
sign will be closely visible for a distance of at least seventy-five
feet to drivers approaching such an exit.
(Prior revision § 12-30; C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
Colors and arrow indications in traffic-control signals shall have the commands ascribed to them through Section
10.12.090, and no other meanings, and every driver of a vehicle or other conveyance shall comply therewith, except when otherwise directed by an officer or by a lawful traffic regulating sign (other than a "stop" sign), signal or device, or except as provided in Section
10.28.030. In no case shall a driver enter or proceed through an intersection without due regard to the safety of other persons within the intersection regardless of what indications may be given by the traffic-control signals.
(Prior revision § 12-31 (part); C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
Green indications shall have the following meanings:
A. Drivers
facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn
right or left unless a sign at such place prohibited either such turn;
but, drivers 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. Drivers
facing a green arrow, 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 movements as are permitted by other indications
shown at the same time. Such drivers shall yield the right-of-way
to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other
traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(Prior revision § 12-31(a); C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
Steady yellow indications shall have the following meanings:
Drivers facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal are
thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated
or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter
when drivers shall not enter the intersection.
(Prior revision § 12-31(b); C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
Steady red indications shall have the following meanings:
A. Traffic
facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly
marked stop line or, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the
near side of the intersection, and shall remain standing until an
indication to proceed is shown except as allowed by Chapter 89, Section
8 of the General Laws.
B. No
driver of a vehicle facing a circular red signal indication shall
make a right turn where official traffic signs are installed and maintained
prohibiting such turn at the intersections set out in Schedule 11(A)
of this title.
C. Drivers
facing a steady red arrow indication may not enter the intersection
to make the movement indicated by such arrow, and unless entering
the intersection to make such other movement as is permitted by other
indications shown at the same time, 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 make the movement
indicated by such arrow is shown.
(Prior revision § 12-31(c)(part), (1),
(2)(part), (3); C.O. 80-366 § 1 (part); C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
While the red and yellow lenses are illuminated together, drivers
shall not enter the intersection, and during such time the intersection
shall be reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians.
(Prior revision § 12-31(d)(part); C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
Flashing signal indications shall have the following meanings:
A. Flashing
red (stop signal): When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent
flashes, drivers of vehicles 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 at the point nearest the intersecting
roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the
intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, and the right
to proceed shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 89, Section
8 of the General Laws.
B. Flashing
yellow (caution signal): When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid
intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the
intersection or pass such signal only with caution.
(Prior revision § 12-31(d)(1, 2); C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
It is unlawful for any person to place or maintain or to display
upon or in view of any street any unofficial sign, signal, marking
or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles
an official traffic sign, signal, marking or device or which attempts
to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view any official
sign or signal. The chief of police is empowered to remove every such
prohibited sign, signal, marking or device or cause it to be removed
without notice.
(Prior revision § 12-32; C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))
It is unlawful for any person to wilfully deface, injure, move,
obstruct or interfere with any official traffic sign, signal or marking.
(Prior revision § 12-33; C.O. 83-52 § 48 (part))