The Light That Is Changing
Md. Code, Transp. § 21-202 — the yellow warns that a red will prohibit entering, and a turn on red after stopping
The yellow is a warning. Traffic facing a steady yellow signal is warned that the related green movement is ending, or that a red signal, which will prohibit traffic from entering the intersection, will be shown immediately after it.
Red, then a turn. Traffic facing a steady circular red alone stops at the near side, at a clearly marked stop line, or before any crosswalk, or before the intersection, and remains stopped. Unless a sign prohibiting a turn is in place, it may then cautiously enter and turn right, or turn left from a one way street onto a one way street, and where a sign permits another turn, make that one.
Yielding on the turn. Traffic turning on red yields to any pedestrian or bicycle lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk, and to vehicles lawfully using the intersection.
| The light | What the section says |
|---|---|
| The lightSteady yellow | What the section saysA warning that the green is ending and a red will prohibit entering |
| The lightSteady circular red | What the section saysStop at the line, before the crosswalk, or before the intersection |
| The lightSteady red arrow | What the section saysNo entering for the arrow's movement |
| The lightTurn on red | What the section saysRight, or left one way to one way, after stopping, unless a sign prohibits it |
Arrows, flashing lights and pedestrian signals are set out in the same sections, and not all of them are on this page. What a particular ticket means is a question for a licensed Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Transp. § 21-202 — Traffic control signals
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.