Tex. Codes » Transportation Code · TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC · SUBTITLE C. RULES OF THE ROAD · CHAPTER 544. TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND MARKINGS
Texas Codes

Tex. Transp. Code § 544.007 (2026)

Traffic-control Signals In General

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 544.007. TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS IN GENERAL. (a) A traffic-control signal displaying different colored lights or colored lighted arrows successively or in combination may display only green, yellow, or red and applies to operators of vehicles as provided by this section.

(b) An operator of a vehicle facing a circular green signal may proceed straight or turn right or left unless a sign prohibits the turn. The operator shall, while the signal is exhibited:

(1) yield the right-of-way to other vehicles lawfully in the intersection when the signal is exhibited; and

(2) stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians or sidewalk users lawfully in the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.

(c) An operator of a vehicle facing a green arrow signal, displayed alone or with another signal, may cautiously enter the intersection to move in the direction permitted by the arrow or other indication shown simultaneously. The operator shall stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian or sidewalk user lawfully in an adjacent crosswalk and shall yield the right-of-way to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

(d) An operator of a vehicle facing only a steady red signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line. In the absence of a stop line, the operator shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. A vehicle that is not turning shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown. After stopping, standing until the intersection may be entered safely, and yielding right-of-way to pedestrians and sidewalk users lawfully in an adjacent crosswalk and other traffic lawfully using the intersection, the operator may:

(1) turn right; or

(2) turn left, if the intersecting streets are both one-way streets and a left turn is permissible.

(e) An operator of a vehicle facing a steady yellow signal is warned by that signal that:

(1) movement authorized by a green signal is being terminated; or

(2) a red signal is to be given.

(f) The Texas Transportation Commission, a municipal authority, or the commissioners court of a county may prohibit within the entity's jurisdiction a turn by an operator of a vehicle facing a steady red signal by posting notice at the intersection that the turn is prohibited.

(g) This section applies to an official traffic-control signal placed and maintained at a place other than an intersection, except for a provision that by its nature cannot apply. A required stop shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made. In the absence of such a sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.

(h) The obligations imposed by this section apply to an operator of a streetcar in the same manner they apply to the operator of a vehicle.

(i) An operator of a vehicle facing a traffic-control signal, other than a freeway entrance ramp control signal or a pedestrian hybrid beacon, that does not display an indication in any of the signal heads shall stop as provided by Section 544.010 as if the intersection had a stop sign.

(j) In this section:

(1) "Freeway entrance ramp control signal" means a traffic-control signal that controls the flow of traffic entering a freeway.

(2) "Pedestrian hybrid beacon" means a pedestrian-controlled traffic-control signal that displays different colored lights successively only when activated by a pedestrian.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1325, Sec. 19.04, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 485 (H.B. 885), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 1055), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 207 (S.B. 2039), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 25 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1996–2024 · leading case: Lerma v. State, 543 S.W.3d 184 (Tex. Crim. App. 2018).
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Lerma v. State, 543 S.W.3d 184 (Tex. Crim. App. 2018). “Salinas had observed the driver of the vehicle commit two traffic violations: failing to stop behind the line at a red light ( see Tex. Transp. Code § 544.007(d) ); and failing to use his turn signal at least 100 feet prior to the intersection ( Id.”
Norris Shannon Baines v. State, 418 S.W.3d 663 (Tex. App. 2010). “See Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 544.007 (Vernon Supp.”
State v. Garrett, 22 S.W.3d 650 (Tex. App. 2000). “4 See Tex. Transp.Code Ann. § 544.007 (West 1999).”
Vedaseh Rampersad v. Centerpoint Energy Houston Elec. LLC, 554 S.W.3d 29 (Tex. App. 2017). “2 See TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. §§ 544.007, 545.151 (West 2011) (requiring drivers to stop at intersection where traffic lights are present but not working).”
Hassan v. State, 346 S.W.3d 234 (Tex. App. 2011). “Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 544.007 (d) (West 2011).”
Randy Manyvorn v. State (Tex. App. 2019). · cites it 3× “See Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 544.007 (d). C. Trial After proceeding to trial, the jury convicted Manyvorn of the offense of driving while intoxicated.”
George Ray Micheaux, Jr. v. State (Tex. App. 2015). · cites it 5× “ii Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 541.304 . . . . .”
John Paige Paschall v. State (Tex. App. 2018). “TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 544.007(d). They likewise “may not drive so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.”
Joseph Lee Ferguson v. State (Tex. App. 2019). “See TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 544.007(d) (West Supp.”
Cia Babiy v. Ramzi Morgan Kelley (Tex. App. 2019). “, TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. §§ 544.007, 545.061, .”
Mark Andrew Morgan v. State (Tex. App. 2019). “” See TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 544.007(d). Morgan argues the word “at” in section 544.”
Daniel Aragon MacHado v. State (Tex. App. 2021). “Appellant ultimately ran two red lights and two stop signs, turned in front of a vehicle stopped at one of those red lights, and traveled at a speed high enough to cause Officer Eberhardt to lose sight of him, all while a marked black and white police vehicle with activated…”
Show all 25 citing cases →
— Tex. Transp. Code § 544.007(d) — 8 cases
Lerma v. State, 543 S.W.3d 184 (Tex. Crim. App. 2018). “Salinas had observed the driver of the vehicle commit two traffic violations: failing to stop behind the line at a red light ( see Tex. Transp. Code § 544.007(d) ); and failing to use his turn signal at least 100 feet prior to the intersection ( Id.”
John Paige Paschall v. State (Tex. App. 2018). “TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 544.007(d). They likewise “may not drive so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.”
Joseph Lee Ferguson v. State (Tex. App. 2019). “See TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 544.007(d) (West Supp.”
Mark Andrew Morgan v. State (Tex. App. 2019). “” See TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 544.007(d). Morgan argues the word “at” in section 544.”
Daniel Aragon MacHado v. State (Tex. App. 2021). “Appellant ultimately ran two red lights and two stop signs, turned in front of a vehicle stopped at one of those red lights, and traveled at a speed high enough to cause Officer Eberhardt to lose sight of him, all while a marked black and white police vehicle with activated…”
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