USA - is it really legal to run a red light at right turn?

[Valso]

On ATS the traffic often ignores the red light and makes a right turn. I thought it was a bug, so I reported it to SCS Software but they said it was legal in America to run a red light at right turns. I asked a few different groups of Americans on Facebook (back when I still had an account on it) and they all said it was true. But this makes zero sense to me bc if it's legal to ignore the red light, then what's the point of having a traffic light at all? Not to mention that this is a perfect cause for a traffic accident. If there's a vehicle coming from your left and you don't see it (or they don't see you), there's gonna be a crash. And then I find this image below.

So which is it in the end? Is it legal or is it not legal to make a right turn at red light in America? If it is legal, what's the logic behind it?

[Goforit1010]

You cannot "run a red" light in the US. If the light is red, you're supposed to stop. At MOST light-controlled intersections, you ARE allowed to make a right turn with a red light AFTER you stop AND the following conditions are met: No pedestrians crossing, No oncoming traffic, No emergency vehicles, No sign saying, "No turn on red".

The reason they started allowing this in the '80's was to save gas. Instead of sitting there idling away, waiting for a green light, traffic could proceed IF it's safe, saving millions of gallons of fuel.

At some intersections where it's "one-way" traffic to the left, you are allowed to make a left turn on red also (if the above safety conditions are met). These situations are pretty rare, but I've been at a few intersections where that is allowed.

[Lliam]

I've lived in California all my life and it's illegal not to stop at a red light, even when making a right turn. I'm sure that is the case in every state. Unless it is otherwise posted, you treat a red light like a stop sign when turning right.

It's not uncommon for some people to slow down and roll through the light without stopping, but they can be cited for doing so.

People who don't stop piss me off. They are ass holes.

"CVC 21453 (b) states that drivers can make a right turn after stopping at a circular red light, unless there's a sign indicating the turn is prohibited."

[Valso]

And I still don't understand what's the logic behind this - to allow turning despite that the light is red. In my book that's a precondition for an accident.

[Lliam]

Are stop signs a precondition for accidents?

[Valso]

The stop sign is not a light. The traffic light trumps all signs. In the European (hence Bulgarian) laws of the road when the traffic light is red, whatever signs you may see there, they're irrelevant. Which means no right turn on red light. That's why I fail to understand the logic behind this American rule.

[A_Bell]

You cannot "run the red light" or "ignore the light" anywhere in the USA.

In nearly all places you can come to a complete stop and go turn right on red if and when it is clear.

In many of these same states you can do the same thing on a left turn from a one way street onto a one way street that approaches from the right.

[WindAtMyBack]

First of all, there are no US traffic laws. They are all state laws. Traffic laws can vary quite a lot between states.

As far as I know, it's legal to turn right on red in every state. My own state was one of the last ones to allow right on red. But even my state has been doing it for at least 30 years.

You have to stop at the light. For right turns, a red light is more like a stop sign. You stop, then if it's clear then you can turn right on red. If it wasn't safe they wouldn't allow it.

In some situations you can also turn left on a red light. I have never done it and I'm not positive how it even works. I think you have to be on a one-way road turning left onto another one-way road. I don't know how many states have this, but I know some do.

[Avicenna]

No, even where a tight turn on red is allowed, you have to come to a complete stop and yield to any oncoming traffic.

[Redstang88]

Canada too. Can turn right on red (and sometimes left) unless marked otherwise. Works like a stop sign

[Massageman]

If a sign is not posted to the contrary- AND- the municipality through which you are driving does not have laws to the contrary- in MOST cases you can turn right AFTER coming to a full and complete stop, AND yielding to all other traffic.

[TroyDT2]

No. Unless otherwise marked, people are legally permitted to turn right on a red when it is safe and after coming to a full stop.

[Iron_Man]

If there’s no sign you can turn right on red

[Snakeyes7]

There are intersections that have signs that say to not turn right on red. This is usually due to the low visibility on the left hand side of the intersection where it is harder to see cars coming.

[Ill_made_Knight]

Right on red is legal in lots of places, but not all

[CuriousMufuxka]

Well it's really not about legal so much as whether there are traffic cameras..

[Anonymous]

Yes, it’s legal to turn right at a red light

[Lliam]

After you come to a complete stop.

[Opinion Owner]

Oops, forgot to mention that. You’re right