4.14Stop and Go, Signs and Signals

“The state transportation department and department of state police shall adopt a manual^[1] and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices consistent with the provisions of [MCL 257.1 et seq.,] for use upon highways within [Michigan].” MCL 257.608. “The manual shall correlate with and so far as possible conform to the federal manual then current as approved by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and may be revised whenever necessary to carry out the provisions of [the MVC].” Id. “It is the policy of [Michigan] to achieve, insofar as is practicable, uniformity in the design, shape, and color scheme of traffic signs, signals and guide posts erected and maintained upon the streets and highways within [Michigan] with other states.” Id.

See the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for more information.

A.Statutory Authority: Stop Signs

“Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, the driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign 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.” MCL 257.649(8). “After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right of way to a vehicle that has entered the intersection from another highway or that is approaching so closely on the highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the driver would be moving across or within the intersection.” Id.

“[I]t is a general rule that a person entering an intersection must exercise that degree of care and caution that an ordinarily prudent and careful driver would exercise under the same or similar circumstances.” Stabler v Copeland, 304 Mich 1, 7 (1942).

“A stop sign on the highway is a warning of possible danger.” Shoniker v English, 254 Mich 76, 80 (1931). However, it is also “a direction, not merely a caution, to drivers entering a through street, to stop.” Rife v Colestock, 297 Mich 194, 197 (1941). “It imposes the duty not only to stop the vehicle but also to make reasonable observation of the intersecting highway at a place where the view is clear and to keep the car under such control as will enable the driver to stop at once, if observation discloses approaching vehicles.” Shoniker, 254 Mich at 80-81.

“Where . . . a stop sign is placed a considerable distance from the stop intersection, it is generally recognized that the sign serves only to notify motorists of the approaching highway intersection.” People v McIntosh, 23 Mich App 412, 415 (1970). “It does not signify the exact spot at which vehicles are required to stop.” Id. “Placement of the sign some distance from the intersection of a servient and dominant highway gives the motorist ample time to slow down and stop before entering the intersection.” Id. at 416. “It provides a necessary warning of impending danger.” Id.

B.Statutory Authority: Traffic Lights or Signals

“When traffic is controlled by traffic control signals, not fewer than 1 signal shall be located over the traveled portion of the roadway so as to give vehicle operators a clear indication of the right-of-way assignment from their normal positions approaching the intersection.” MCL 257.612(1). “The vehicle signals shall exhibit different colored lights successively, 1 at a time, or with arrows.” Id.

1.Solid Green

“If the signal exhibits a green indication, vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at that place prohibits either turn.” MCL 257.612(1)(a). “Vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited.” Id.

2.Solid Yellow

“If the signal exhibits a steady yellow indication, 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.” MCL 257.612(1)(b).

3.Solid Red

“If the signal exhibits a steady red indication, the following apply:

(i) 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 there is no crosswalk or limit line, before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown, except as provided in [MCL 257.612(1)(c)(ii)].

(ii) 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 there is no crosswalk or limit line, before entering the intersection, may 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 may make a left turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 1-way roadway 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 and bicyclists lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.” MCL 257.612(1)(c).

4.Green Arrows

“If the signal exhibits a steady green arrow indication, vehicular traffic facing the green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow or other movement permitted by other indications shown at the same time.” MCL 257.612(1)(d). “The vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians or bicyclists lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.” Id.

5.Red and Yellow Arrows

“Red arrow and yellow arrow indications have the same meaning as the corresponding circular indications, except that they apply only to vehicle operators intending to make the movement indicated by the arrow.” MCL 257.612(1).

6.Flashing Red (Stop Signal)

“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.” MCL 257.614(1)(a).

7.Flashing Yellow (Caution Signal)

“When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past the signal only with caution.” MCL 257.614(1)(b).

C.Stop and Go, Sign and Signal Violations

Stop and go, sign and signal violations include:

•Avoiding traffic control device,    MCL 257.611;

•Disregarding stop sign, MCL 257.649;

•Disregarding flashing red or flashing yellow signal, MCL 257.614;

•Disregarding yellow signal, MCL 257.612;

•Disregarding stop and go light, MCL 257.612; and

•Right turn on red light without stopping, MCL 257.612.

D.Penalties

The general rules for assessing a civil fine and costs apply to stop and go, and sign and signal violations. See Section 1.20 for a discussion of the general rules governing the assessment of a civil fine and costs; see also the Michigan Judicial Institute’s table for a quick reference guide.

E.Sanctions

Only applicable sanctions are listed below; accordingly, if a particular sanction is omitted from this section, it is not applicable to this offense. The Offense Code Index for Traffic Violations published by the secretary of state and sourced from the Michigan Department of State Court Manual includes a table detailing traffic offenses and applicable sanctions. See Section 1.41 for more information on abstracting procedures.

•Four points are assessed for “a moving violation resulting in an at-fault collision with another vehicle, an individual, or any other object.” MCL 257.320a(1)(l). See Section 1.42 for more information on points.

•Three points are assessed for “[d]isobeying a traffic signal or stop sign . . . .” MCL 257.320a(1)(r). See Section 1.42 for more information on points.

•Two points are assessed for “[a]ll other moving violations pertaining to the operation of motor vehicle reports under [MCL 257.320a.]” MCL 257.320a(1)(u). See Section 1.42 for more information on points.