Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Wait" or "Don't Walk" are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:

(1) Walk. Pedestrians facing such signals may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall beY given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles; and

(2) Wait or Don't Walk. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the wait signal is showing.

[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 10; T.C.A., § 59-811.]