The Light That Is Changing
RCW 46.61.055 — after the yellow comes a red when traffic shall not enter, and turns on red onto one way and two way streets
The yellow is a warning. Operators facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow are warned that the related green movement is being terminated, or that a red will be exhibited immediately after, when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection.
Red, then a turn. Operators facing a steady circular red alone stop at the stop line, or before the near crosswalk, or before the intersection control area, and remain standing. After stopping, they may turn right from a one way or two way street into a two way street or a one way street carrying traffic in the direction of the turn, or turn left from a one way or two way street into a one way street carrying traffic in the direction of the turn, unless a sign prohibits it.
Before turning on red. Operators planning those turns remain stopped to let other vehicles lawfully within or approaching the intersection complete their movements, and for pedestrians lawfully within the intersection control area.
| The light | What the section says |
|---|---|
| The lightSteady yellow | What the section saysA warning that the green is ending or a red is coming, when traffic shall not enter |
| The lightSteady circular red | What the section saysStop and remain standing, unless turning |
| The lightRight on red | What the section saysInto a two way street, or a one way street going right, after stopping |
| The lightLeft on red | What the section saysInto a one way street going left, from a one way or two way street, after stopping |
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 Washington attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- RCW 46.61.055 — Traffic control signal legend
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.