What states Cannot turn right on red?

The Red Light, Right Turn Riddle: Where You Can’t (and Why)

The familiar hum of a red light often prompts a practiced maneuver for many American drivers: the right-hand turn. Since the nationwide adoption of permissive right turns on red in the 1980s, this action has become almost second nature. However, the seemingly simple act of turning right on red is governed by a surprisingly complex patchwork of laws and local regulations, meaning that what’s perfectly legal in one state might land you a hefty fine in another.

The 1980s standardization didn’t create a universally consistent rule. Instead, it established a default permitting right turns on red, unless explicitly prohibited. This crucial distinction is the key to understanding the exceptions. While there’s no state that completely bans right turns on red across its entirety, certain jurisdictions employ nuanced regulations making such turns illegal under specific circumstances.

The most common scenarios where a right turn on red is forbidden are:

• Explicit Signage: This is the most straightforward scenario. A clearly posted “No Turn on Red” sign overrides the default permissive rule. These signs can be found at intersections deemed unsafe for right turns on red due to high pedestrian traffic, limited visibility, or complex traffic patterns. Drivers must always adhere to posted signage, regardless of general state laws.

• Dedicated Traffic Signals: Many intersections feature dedicated signals specifically controlling right turns. These signals can either prohibit right turns altogether (showing a red arrow or flashing red light specifically for the right turn lane), or allow them only under certain conditions (e.g., after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic). Ignoring these dedicated signals, even if a general right turn on red is permitted elsewhere in the state, is a violation.

• Unofficial “No Turn on Red” situations: While not technically illegal, some intersections might effectively prevent right turns on red due to physical obstructions, extremely limited visibility, or exceptionally heavy pedestrian or bicycle traffic. Even without explicit signage, attempting a right turn in such a situation is extremely dangerous and displays poor judgment.

Therefore, there is no single list of states that “cannot turn right on red.” The legality depends entirely on the specific intersection and whether local authorities have deemed it unsafe for right turns on red. Always check for signage, pay close attention to dedicated traffic signals, and use common sense to assess the safety of any right turn before proceeding. Ignoring these factors, regardless of general state rules, can lead to accidents, tickets, and even points on your driving record. The best approach is always to err on the side of caution and only turn right on red when it is both legally permissible and demonstrably safe to do so.