TURN ON RED or only after STOP?

[AviatorTom]

Back in the late 1970s, there was a gasoline crisis, as OPEC limited the amount of oil they produced... to keep prices high.

In the United States, to reduce the amount of the limited supplies of gasoline used (there were long lines at the pumps), a nationwide speed limit of 55 mph was imposed (later rescinded), and right-on-red-after-stop laws were passed.

Over time, other countries have passed similar right-on-red laws, or left-on-red-laws for those countries that drive on the left. Let's generically call it a turn-on-red law.

In the United States, right-on-red-after-stop is allowed in most states, typically without a sign telling you it's okay to do it, with some notable exceptions. For example, right-on-red-after-stop is not allowed in New York City... unless there's a (rare) sign saying it's okay.

In Australia, the equivalent left-on-red (Aussies drive on the other side of the road) is only allowed where a sign says it's okay.

Many drivers either do not know the law or don't care. They see turn-on-red allowed and turn without stopping, sometimes creating a dangerous situation for pedestrians and other vehicles.

What about you? Does your country have a turn-on-red law and does it require stopping first? Do you stop first, or just turn on red?

Feel free to vote in the poll and leave an opinion below.

My country has a turn-on-red-after stop law, I stop

My country has a turn-on-red-after stop law, I don't stop

My country has a turn-on-red law, stopping is not required

My country has a turn-on-red law, stopping is not required, I stop anyway

My country does not have a turn-on red law

[sage2021]

🇺🇸
Hi! I remember the gas shortage around 1972 when I lived with my mom in San Francisco. Poor mom That gas shortage made her lose her job. It was a hard time for everyone.

Back to answering your quest.
I don't recall being taught in Driver's education that we had to stop on red before making a right turn, so I would just look and no cars were coming I would turn without stopping. Until I had about 5 of my friends in the car and they saw that I didn't stop first. That's when I learned about that law.
I've been stopping on red ever since.

[purplepoppy]

We don't have it here but some lights have turn left/right filters. I could see it causing confusion knowing which ones you can and can't.

Around here we don't bother with signalling or stopping at junctions and rely on other locals knowing we always turn left here at 9am etc. Tourists get confused and some cause accidents not knowing the system.

[andreasderjuengere]

In my hosting country, it's actually the left side.

Anyhow - my hosting country's population sees ''traffic rules'' only as some kind of 'suggestion' - and this includes the traffic police. But theoretically turning (left) is permitted unless there's a (usually ignored) sign board saying otherwise.

My personal response: I ignore traffic suggestions - and replace them with survival instinct. :D

Works well enough since 20 years already.

[DJB72]

I live in South Africa. The only rule on the road here is Survival of the Fittest. Traffic lights, affectionately called "robots" - nobody knows why - are basically for decoration. Bribing cops is cheaper than paying a fine, but you don't get a receipt. If you have the right engine they can't catch you anyway.

Turn where you want. Even the booms on a rail crossing are just there to make crossing the line more of a challenge.

[OlderAndWiser]

Florida has right on red, but i never do California stops.

[DARKCLOUD1945X]

Nothing in California is normal they do not stop even if a train is coming they drive around the gates blocking the tracks. Their Montra is I have the right of way the train has to stop for ME Florida has become a Boro of New York Most not all are entitled assholes LOL

[OlderAndWiser]

@DARKCLOUD1945X Perhaps you are talking about the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area in south Florida. The rest of the state is vastly different. I live in northeast Florida and we are much more like the rest of the southern states.

[DARKCLOUD1945X]

I keep forgetting that my bad for lumping the whole state together. Been to South Fla. it is like I never left N. Y. C. LOL

[Amy10223]

I always stop completely, sign or no sign, and proceed when it's safe enough. ohio Laws are same--but I always like to wait for the light to turn green no matter what.

[DARKCLOUD1945X]

NYC right on red only on SIGNED street corners and then if you can read some signs say No Right on Red 8 AM to 3 PM schooldays. Some states Right on Red unless otherwise stated.. That means there is a sign there !

[msc545]

My state California has always had a turn on red after stop provision. I don't know about other states. Woody Allen once said" the main cultural advantage of living in California is that it's legal to turn Right on a red light".

[YesterdaysChild]

There are a lot of lights in LA County that have "no right turn on red" signs that either a lot of people don't notice or because they don't care. A lot of these signs are put up in intersections where accidents have occurred because of this "turn after stop" signs. Like for instance in bad visibility intersections.

[msc545]

@YesterdaysChild You cannot have everything all the time. The signs are there for good reasons. They are not everywhere.

[exitseven]

We have turn on red after stop. I always stop because the other drivers took driver's Ed on line.

[Anonymous]

in my state, we are allowed to turn right on red

[Sparkie460]

Yes we have the right on red. Does California stop count as stopping?

[Pudsmucker]

Here in Kansas City on one way streets you can stop and take a left.

[Surely]

In PA. It is right turn allowed on red after stopping, unless otherwise posted not to.

[Surely]

Test question! When are you allowed to make a left turn on red? Providing it is legal in your state.

[WhiteBoyChill]

I turn on red, but I obviously stop first because its the safe thing to do

[Anonymous]

The right on red is one of the few things I actually give the American traffic system props for. It is great for those traffic lights that only remain green for only a couple second.

[Dargil]

My country allows right on red. I yield and enter.