Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 257 / Act 300 of 1949
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.612 (2026)

Traffic control signals; location; red arrow and yellow arrow indications; colors; traffic control signal at place other than intersection; stopping at sign, marking, or signal; violation of subsection (1) or (2) as civil infraction; approaching person using wheelchair or device to aid walking; violation of subsection (4) as misdemeanor; location of sign prohibiting turn on red signal; additional sign; location of temporary traffic control signal.

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MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE


Act 300 of 1949


257.612 Traffic control signals; location; red arrow and yellow arrow indications; colors; traffic control signal at place other than intersection; stopping at sign, marking, or signal; violation of subsection (1) or (2) as civil infraction; approaching person using wheelchair or device to aid walking; violation of subsection (4) as misdemeanor; location of sign prohibiting turn on red signal; additional sign; location of temporary traffic control signal.

Sec. 612.

    (1) 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. The vehicle signals shall exhibit different colored lights successively, 1 at a time, or with 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. The following colors shall be used, and the terms and lights shall indicate and apply to vehicle operators as follows:

    (a) 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. 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.

    (b) 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.

    (c) 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 subparagraph (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.

    (d) 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. 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.

    (2) If a traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section apply except for those provisions that by their nature cannot apply. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of a sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.

    (3) A person who violates subsection (1) or (2) is responsible for a civil infraction.

    (4) A vehicle operator who approaches a person using a wheelchair or a device to aid the person to walk at a crosswalk or any other pedestrian crossing shall take necessary precautions to avoid accident or injury to the person using the wheelchair or device. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.

    (5) A sign prohibiting a turn on a red signal as provided in subsection (1)(c)(ii) shall be located above or adjacent to the traffic control signal or as close as possible to the point where the turn is made, or at both locations, so that 1 or more of the signs are visible to a vehicle operator intending to turn, at the point where the turn is made. An additional sign may be used at the far side of the intersection in the direct line of vision of the turning vehicle operator.

    (6) Subject to federal law, a temporary traffic control signal may be located on, over, or adjacent to the traveled portion of the roadway.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 245, Eff. Oct. 14, 1955 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 222, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 237, Eff. Mar. 10, 1967 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 287, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 105, Eff. July 31, 1988 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 33, Eff. Apr. 1, 1991 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 339, Imd. Eff. Aug. 15, 2006 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 386, Imd. Eff. Dec. 18, 2014

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1961–2026 · leading case: Sakorraphos v. Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc., 116 N.W.2d 227 (Mich. 1962).
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Sakorraphos v. Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc., 116 N.W.2d 227 (Mich. 1962). · cites it 4× “The circuit judge did not instruct the jury that there was a comparable statute (CLS 1956, § 257.612 [Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 9.2312]), violation of which would be negligence per se.”
People v. Lyon, 872 N.W.2d 245 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “Beyond requiring motorists to use extra caution when approaching a disabled person using an assistive device in a crosswalk, the MVC does not make special exceptions for the use of such assistive devices while proceeding along the traveled portion of the highway.”
Bishop v. Plumb, 108 N.W.2d 813 (Mich. 1961). · cites it 2× “[3] CLS 1956, § 257.612 (Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 9.2312), which reads in part as follows: "See.”
City of Detroit v. Del Rio, 157 N.W.2d 324 (Mich. Ct. App. 1968). “So far as is here pertinent, the ordinance in question is identical to section 612 of the Michigan vehicle code, CLS 1961, § 257.612, as amended by PA 1966, No 237 (Stat Ann 1968 Cum Supp § 9.”
Hansen v. Batchelder, 165 N.W.2d 886 (Mich. Ct. App. 1968). · cites it 2× “” MCLA § 257.612(a) (Stat Ann 1968Rev §9.2312[a]).”
Litle v. Grieve, 181 N.W.2d 5 (Mich. Ct. App. 1970). · cites it 2× “After a careful reading of the trial court’s instructions regarding the application of MCLA §§ 257.612, 257.613 (Stat Ann 1968 Rev §§ 9.”
Buchholtz v. Deitel, 229 N.W.2d 448 (Mich. Ct. App. 1975). “See MCLA 257.612(a); MSA 9.2312(a). From the testimony presented at trial it is clear that, when the light changed, defendant was approximately three car lengths away from the intersection and travelling at a high rate of speed.”
Mayydean Jofferion-Bishop v. Christopher Banks (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 2× “The meanings of the colored lights for traffic control signals are discussed in MCL 257.612(1). MCL 257.612(1)(a) provides as follows: If the signal exhibits a green indication, vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign…”
Engle v. Rawlison, 208 N.W.2d 223 (Mich. Ct. App. 1973). · cites it 2× “MCLA 257.612; MSA 9.2312, provides, in part, that: "Vehicular traffic facing the [green] signal * * * may proceed * * * through * * * [but] shall yield the right of way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully *424 within the intersection * * * at the time such signal is…”
Steven Swofford v. Horacio Alvarez (Mich. Ct. App. 2016). “627, and for failing to stop at a red light, MCL 257.612(C)(1). The evidence showed that Petrow found a car for sale on the side of the road and took it for a brief test drive.”
Est. of Nancy Riegel v. Smart (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “MCL 257.612(1)(b) provides as follows: 3 The most that plaintiff argues with respect to the caregiver is that she had to steady herself during the stop.”
August Schutt v. Smart (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “The record contains no evidence that, other than stopping, Thomas operated the bus negligently; there is no evidence that she was intoxicated or otherwise impaired, she was traveling well within the 35 mile-per-hour speed limit, and she began braking for a yellow light that was…”
Show all 14 citing cases →
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.612(1) — 1 case
Mayydean Jofferion-Bishop v. Christopher Banks (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “The meanings of the colored lights for traffic control signals are discussed in MCL 257.612(1). MCL 257.612(1)(a) provides as follows: If the signal exhibits a green indication, vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.612(1)(a) — 1 case
Mayydean Jofferion-Bishop v. Christopher Banks (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “The meanings of the colored lights for traffic control signals are discussed in MCL 257.612(1). MCL 257.612(1)(a) provides as follows: If the signal exhibits a green indication, vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.612(1)(b) — 2 cases
Est. of Nancy Riegel v. Smart (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “MCL 257.612(1)(b) provides as follows: 3 The most that plaintiff argues with respect to the caregiver is that she had to steady herself during the stop.”
August Schutt v. Smart (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “The record contains no evidence that, other than stopping, Thomas operated the bus negligently; there is no evidence that she was intoxicated or otherwise impaired, she was traveling well within the 35 mile-per-hour speed limit, and she began braking for a yellow light that was…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.612(C)(1) — 1 case
Steven Swofford v. Horacio Alvarez (Mich. Ct. App. 2016). “627, and for failing to stop at a red light, MCL 257.612(C)(1). The evidence showed that Petrow found a car for sale on the side of the road and took it for a brief test drive.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.612(a) — 2 cases
Hansen v. Batchelder, 165 N.W.2d 886 (Mich. Ct. App. 1968). “” MCLA § 257.612(a) (Stat Ann 1968Rev §9.2312[a]).”
Buchholtz v. Deitel, 229 N.W.2d 448 (Mich. Ct. App. 1975). “See MCLA 257.612(a); MSA 9.2312(a). From the testimony presented at trial it is clear that, when the light changed, defendant was approximately three car lengths away from the intersection and travelling at a high rate of speed.”
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