The Light That Is Changing
Transp. Code 544.007 — the yellow is a warning, and a turn on red comes after a stop
The yellow is a warning. An operator facing a steady yellow signal is warned by it that the movement a green signal authorized is being terminated, or that a red signal is to be given.
Red, then a turn. An operator facing only a steady red signal stops at a clearly marked stop line or, without one, before the crosswalk on the near side. After stopping, standing until the intersection may be entered safely, and yielding to pedestrians in an adjacent crosswalk and other traffic lawfully using the intersection, the operator may turn right, or turn left if both intersecting streets are one way and a left turn is permissible.
| The light | What the section says |
|---|---|
| The lightSteady yellow | What the section saysA warning that the green movement is ending or a red is coming |
| The lightSteady red | What the section saysStop at the line or before the crosswalk, and remain standing unless turning |
| The lightRight turn on red | What the section saysAfter stopping and yielding, unless posted notice prohibits it |
| The lightLeft turn on red | What the section saysFrom one way street to one way street, after stopping and yielding |
| The lightA signal showing nothing at all | What the section saysStop as if the intersection had a stop sign |
Where a turn on red is barred. The Texas Transportation Commission, a municipality, or a county's commissioners court may prohibit a turn on a steady red by posting notice at the intersection.
A dark signal. An operator facing a traffic control signal that displays no indication in any of its heads, other than a freeway entrance ramp signal or a pedestrian hybrid beacon, stops as if the intersection had a stop sign.
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 Texas attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Transp. Code 544.007 — Traffic-control signals in general
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.