A. 
Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights or color lighted arrows successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and such lights shall indicate and apply to the drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
(1) 
Green.
(a) 
The driver of a vehicle facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic coming, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right of way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection at the time the signal is exhibited.
(b) 
The driver of a vehicle facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow or other such 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 the intersection and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(c) 
Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(2) 
Yellow.
(a) 
The driver of a vehicle facing a circular yellow signal shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection, but if such stop cannot be made in safety a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection.
(b) 
Pedestrians facing such signals are thereby 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.
(a) 
The driver of a vehicle facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering a crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in Subsection A(3)(c) below.
(b) 
No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway, unless he can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(c) 
The driver of a vehicle facing a steady circular red signal at an intersection may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping as required by Subsection A(3)(a) above, unless such a turn is prohibited by appropriate signs such as "No Right Turn on Red." The driver of a vehicle executing such a turn shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the intersection and to all traffic moving on the lanes having the green signal at the intersection.
(d) 
The driver of a vehicle facing a steady red arrow indication may not enter the intersection to make a 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 before entering the intersection on the near side of the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to make the move and indicated by such arrow is shown.
B. 
If a traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, 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 signal or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such marking or sign, the stop shall be made at the signal.
Whenever any illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal, it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
A. 
Flashing red. When a red signal is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, the driver of a vehicle shall stop before entering the intersection or at a line marked on the pavement, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
B. 
Flashing yellow. When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or pass the signal only with caution.
Automatic traffic control signals shall be placed at the intersections listed in the attached inventory.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 210-56.
Stop signs shall be located at the intersections listed in the Stop Sign and Yield Sign Inventory,[1] and shall cause drivers of vehicles approaching to stop at the entrance of the intersections.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 210-55.
Yield signs shall be located at the intersections listed in the Stop Sign and Yield Sign Inventory,[1] and shall cause drivers of vehicles approaching to slow to a reasonable speed for existing conditions and to yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so as to constitute a hazard during the time that the driver is moving across or within the intersection.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 210-55.
Signs indicating the direction of vehicular traffic shall be located upon the streets and parts of streets described in the attached inventory.[1] Drivers of vehicles shall move only in the direction indicated by the signs.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 210-58.
A. 
The municipal officers may cause signs to be erected and maintained, indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles approaching or turning at those locations. The direction indicated may conform to or be other than prescribed by law or ordinance. The municipal officers may also cause directional signs to be painted or marked on the roadway; such directional signs shall be obeyed in the same manner as other directional signs.
B. 
When authorized signs, marks or other indications are placed adjacent to or within an intersection or other location indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning there, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of such indications.
C. 
Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no U-turn is permitted, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of that sign.
The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction of any street in a business district and shall not upon any other street so turn a vehicle unless its movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.
The driver of a vehicle shall not enter an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he or she is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians through the intersection, notwithstanding any traffic control indication to proceed.
Whenever any vehicle is stopped or slowed at a crosswalk or 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 or slowed vehicles.
A. 
Whenever the driver of a vehicle equipped with multiple-beam road lighting equipment, during the times when headlights are required, approaches oncoming vehicles within five hundred (500) feet, such driver shall dim the headlights to a low beam so that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the driver of the oncoming vehicle.
B. 
No driver of a motor vehicle shall operate his headlights continuously on the upper high beam when following a motor vehicle closer than one hundred (100) feet.
The driver of a vehicle shall not drive a vehicle from any curb or on any street without first looking to see that he or she shall not pull directly into the path of an approaching vehicle, nor without giving flashing directional signal or hand signals indicating that he or she is about to drive out from the curb.
The driver of a vehicle emerging from a private driveway, automobile service station or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto the road and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway.
A person operating a vehicle on any street, highway or public way within the jurisdiction of the Town shall operate that vehicle at a careful and prudent speed not greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions existing at the time and in no case in excess of any posted limit, and having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the road, and to the actual and potential hazards in any condition then existing, except that:
A. 
No person shall operate any vehicle on any street, highway, public way or throughway in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour in a school zone.
B. 
No person shall operate a vehicle on any street, highway, public way or throughway in excess of twenty-five (25) miles per hour in any compact or built-up section of the town.
Whenever traffic is controlled by a school crossing sign exhibiting the word "Stop," the driver of the vehicle facing the sign shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk or at such other point as may be indicated by a clearly visible line, and shall then proceed with due caution, having regard for the safety of the pedestrians crossing at that point.
[Added 7-16-1992 by the Board of Selectmen]
No person shall stop or operate any vehicle within a bicycle lane or a bicycle and pedestrian lane which is listed in the attached inventory.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 210-59.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate certain unsecured loads with in the Town of Topsham.
B. 
General provisions.
(1) 
No person, business or entity shall operate or cause to be operated upon any public way within the Town any vehicle with a load of gravel, sand, crushed stone, ledge, rock or by-products thereof unless the load is covered and either secured or confined to prevent any portion of the load from falling or spilling out of the vehicle.
(2) 
A load shall be considered to be covered when a tarpaulin, canvas or other suitable similar device is employed to prevent the spillage of the transported material.
(3) 
Should there be mud, water or other liquid combined with any transported material, it shall be prevented from leaking, spilling or otherwise falling from the vehicle transporting the material through any means necessary, such as drying or cleaning prior to loading and transporting.
(4) 
Any material that has fallen or spilled from a vehicle shall be removed or cleaned up immediately. All costs of removal or cleanup shall be borne by the individual, business or entity causing the spillage.
C. 
Exceptions. This section does not apply to any vehicles engaged in snowplowing, snow removal and/or sanding operations during winter months.
D. 
Enforcement. The Topsham Police Department shall have enforcement authority pertaining to this section.
E. 
Penalties. Any person, business or entity who operates or causes to be operated a vehicle without the load covered and either secured or confined to prevent the spillage of the transported material shall be subject to the following penalties:
(1) 
First offense: a written warning and cleanup of any spilled material.
(2) 
Second offense: a fine of fifty dollars ($50.) and cleanup of any spilled material.
(3) 
Third offense and any continuing offenses: a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.) and cleanup of any spilled material.
F. 
Effective date. This section shall become effective immediately.
[Amended 7-16-1992 by the Board of Selectmen]
There shall be an inventory list of stop signs, yield signs, one-way signs, crosswalks, traffic control signals, bicycle lanes and pedestrian bicycle lanes. Authorization for additional locations requiring the above-listed signs and entry in the appropriate inventory list attached to this chapter is vested with the Board of Selectmen.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Art. VII, Inventory Lists.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of Article II of this chapter, with the exception of § 210-26, shall, upon adjudication, be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.) and not more than one hundred dollars ($100.).