A. Signals by traffic lights shall be as follows:
Steady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a steady green arrow.
Green indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
Steady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction of the moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has not already entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the intersection shall continue to move until the intersection has been cleared.
Flashing circular red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.
Flashing red arrow indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection. After stopping, traffic may cautiously enter the intersection to turn in the direction of the signal. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.
Flashing circular amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the intersection or past such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.
Flashing amber arrow indicates that traffic may turn in the direction of such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and vehicular traffic lawfully within the intersection.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed, and (v) yields the right of way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.
C. If the traffic lights controlling an intersection are out of service because of a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the traffic lights, the drivers of vehicles approaching such an intersection shall proceed as though such intersection were controlled by a stop sign on all approaches. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: intersections controlled by portable stop signs, intersections with law-enforcement officers or other authorized persons directing traffic, or intersections controlled by traffic lights displaying flashing red or flashing amber lights as provided in subsection A.
D. The driver of any motor vehicle may be detained or arrested for a violation of this section if the detaining law-enforcement officer is in uniform, displays his badge of authority, and (i) has observed the violation or (ii) has received a message by radio or other wireless telecommunication device from another law-enforcement officer who observed the violation. In the case of a person being detained or arrested based on a radio message, the message shall be sent immediately after the violation is observed, and the observing officer shall furnish the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle to the detaining officer.
Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.
Code 1950, § 46-203; 1952, c. 671; 1954, c. 381; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-184; 1964, c. 613; 1966, c. 607; 1970, cc. 515, 736; 1972, cc. 4, 234, 454; 1974, c. 347; 1976, cc. 30, 31; 1977, c. 9; 1978, c. 300; 1981, c. 163; 1989, c. 727; 2000, c. 834; 2004, cc. 252, 743; 2006, c. 928; 2011, c. 471; 2013, cc. 128, 400.
Notes of Decisions
Richard Duane Joyce, Jr. v. Commonwealth of Virginia, No. 0390192 (Va. Ct. App. Apr. 14, 2020).
· cites it 18× “2-833(A), “[g]reen indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.” A “driver of any motor vehicle…”
Paul H. Lundmark v. Cnty. of Henrico, No. 0677212 (Va. Ct. App. Aug. 1, 2023).
· cites it 15× “” We observed that failing to proceed when the signal is green is “not automatically a traffic violation”; rather, “some prolonged stops” might violate Code § 46.2-833 while “others will not.” Id.”
Convisser, No. 3:25-cv-00065 (W.D. Va. May 21, 2026).
· cites it 12× “Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-833 (B). But common sense precludes this interpretation, as it leads to an absurd result.”
Hampton v. Meyer, 299 Va. 121 (Va. 2020).
· cites it 4× “It alleged that the driver of the Suburban was negligent by (a) fail[ing] to keep a proper lookout; (b) fail[ing] to give full time and attention to the operation of his vehicle; (c) fail[ing] to maintain his vehicle under proper control; (d) fail[ing] to obey traffic signals…”
Vincent Reshaad Lamb v. Commonwealth of Virginia, No. 0994241 (Va. Ct. App. Sept. 9, 2025).
· cites it 2× “2-460(B), and failure to obey a traffic light, in violation of Code § 46.2-833. On appeal, he argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress because his car was searched in the absence of reasonable suspicion that he was dangerous and could gain immediate…”
China Michael-Lee Coleman v. Commonwealth of Virginia, No. 1315242 (Va. Ct. App. Feb. 10, 2026).
· cites it 2× “See Code § 46.2-833(A) (defining the meaning of traffic-light signals, including that “[g]reen indicates that traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given” unless the traffic must yield to lawfully present vehicles…”
Johnson v. Walker, 38 Va. Cir. 366 (Norfolk Cir. Ct. 1996).
· cites it 2× “§ 46.2-833. Traffic lights. — Signals by traffic lights shall be as follows: Steady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown .”
Fletcher v. Pizza Hut of Am., Inc., 406 F. App'x 785 (4th Cir. 2011).
“See Va. Code § 46.2-833 (red traffic signal indicates moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped except in direction indicated by lighted green arrow).”
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-833(A): 4 cases
Paul H. Lundmark v. Cnty. of Henrico, No. 0677212 (Va. Ct. App. Aug. 1, 2023).
“” We observed that failing to proceed when the signal is green is “not automatically a traffic violation”; rather, “some prolonged stops” might violate Code § 46.2-833 while “others will not.” Id.”
Richard Duane Joyce, Jr. v. Commonwealth of Virginia, No. 0390192 (Va. Ct. App. Apr. 14, 2020).
“2-833(A), “[g]reen indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.” A “driver of any motor vehicle…”
China Michael-Lee Coleman v. Commonwealth of Virginia, No. 1315242 (Va. Ct. App. Feb. 10, 2026).
“See Code § 46.2-833(A) (defining the meaning of traffic-light signals, including that “[g]reen indicates that traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given” unless the traffic must yield to lawfully present vehicles…”
Convisser, No. 3:25-cv-00065 (W.D. Va. May 21, 2026).
“Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-833 (B). But common sense precludes this interpretation, as it leads to an absurd result.”
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-833(B): 1 case
Convisser, No. 3:25-cv-00065 (W.D. Va. May 21, 2026).
“Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-833 (B). But common sense precludes this interpretation, as it leads to an absurd result.”
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-833(D): 2 cases
Richard Duane Joyce, Jr. v. Commonwealth of Virginia, No. 0390192 (Va. Ct. App. Apr. 14, 2020).
“2-833(A), “[g]reen indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.” A “driver of any motor vehicle…”
Paul H. Lundmark v. Cnty. of Henrico, No. 0677212 (Va. Ct. App. Aug. 1, 2023).
“” We observed that failing to proceed when the signal is green is “not automatically a traffic violation”; rather, “some prolonged stops” might violate Code § 46.2-833 while “others will not.” Id.”
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