# Do you ever not turn right on red? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 15, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983 "2012-05-15T13:15:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/41 "2012-05-15T21:45:33Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > In Manitoba left turns on red lights are legal if it’s from the left lane of a one-way street to the left lane of a one-way street. Minnesota too. Also legal here to go straight on a red. If you are a motorcycle and you have waited sufficient time to be sure the traffic sensors have not detected your presence. You may legally proceed if the way is clear and you do so cautiously. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/42 "2012-05-15T21:52:14Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Nor does Montreal. > > BTW, does anyone know that in some cases it’s legal to turn left at a red light? > > ETA: For righty drivers that is; not in the UK where obviously that’s not an issue. In Texas it is legal to turn left on red from a one way street to another one way street, but only one way streets ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/43 "2012-05-15T21:59:26Z")
> [@minlokwat](#): > > While I always turn right-on-red after full stop and ensuring there is no oncoming traffic, one should at least acknowledge the following: > > I live in Maryland, home to the nation’s most clueless drivers, and had this happen… > > There is a traffic light intersection where the road I am leading into has three lanes. If I am pulling up to that road and have to get into its left-turn lane, I obviously have to wait until all traffic is clear. > > So a few weeks back here I am at this light. I need to get into the lane furthest over and while there are no cars in the first two lanes, I am patiently awaiting my opportunity. Dipshit behind me who sees no traffic in the first two lanes, hits the horn and when I look back in the rear view mirror, he’s giving me the open arms “What the hell?” gesture. I ignore. > > When my chance comes –even though he sees me enter the far left lane- he drives by and flips me the finger. > > Fortunately my feelings aren’t hurt in the slightest as anyone who lives in Maryland knows this is the intelligence level of the drivers we encounter on a daily basis. Do you live in my apartment complex? We have this exact situation every morning getting out. There’s no way to make a left turn out because of the median, so you have to cross 3 lanes of traffic going into the District to get into the left turn lane for the light 100 feet away and make a U-turn. It’s a nightmare. I never go out on that side before 9:30am. I do turn right on red when it’s allowed, although in downtown Silver Spring about 75% of the lights do not allow it, and even if they did you couldn’t turn because of all the pedestrians. It really pisses me off, though, when the person behind you doesn’t see the “No turn on red” sign and starts honking at you like you’re an asshole for not going. Go pound sand! ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/44 "2012-05-15T22:09:32Z")
I will generally turn right on red when it’s available and I’ll turn left on red (here, you can if you’re turning on to a one way street) if it’s convenient. But if I’m concerned about my safety, I can’t see past the car on my left, or I don’t want to worry about potentially blocking the intersection, I won’t. > [@Wheelz](#): > > And if you’re behind me and you honk, you can _bet_ I’m gonna wait. Absolutely. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/45 "2012-05-15T22:13:11Z")
What makes me want to punch people in the face is that many of them won’t take a free right if there’s a police car around, like they think it’s not allowed or something. Once on this route I had to take every day they were doing roadwork nearby for like months and there was a police car stationed there and no one would turn! I’d have to sit through several lights sometimes because of these assholes. Once someone got all psycho road rage at me though because I didn’t turn on the red because it was a red arrow, and I assume that means don’t turn on red. Or am I wrong about that? I don’t know what else it would mean. There was no sign or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/46 "2012-05-15T23:44:52Z")
I will turn right on red, if it’s legal and safe. Being honked at makes me less likely to decide that it’s clear and safe. Especially since the last couple of times I’ve been honked at for failing to turn right on red, there’s a sign on the light saying not to turn right on red. I am not the most aggressive driver on the road, and I know it, and occasionally I feel bad for blocking traffic. But mostly I don’t. Because I drive a small car, and if it’s late and visibility is poor–or I think the road is slippery–sometimes I’d rather sit at the intersection and potentially annoy the driver behind me instead of getting scrunched. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/47 "2012-05-16T00:37:27Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > In Manitoba left turns on red lights are legal if it’s from the left lane of a one-way street to the left lane of a one-way street. In Michigan we can also turn left on red from a two-way onto a one-way, but not from a one-way onto a two-way. I always have to think about it when I’m in one of those situations. > [@gwendee](#): > > I’m approach it planning to make a right turn from an east /west street into southbound lanes of a north/south street. For reasons I haven’t been able to pin down a startling number of people approaching the same intersection coming north use that spot for a U turn. They don’t signal and they don’t look at where I’m waiting. I’ve almost been creamed twice, and made it my own personal policy to not turn right on red there. I’m pretty sure the U-turners would have the right-of-way, not the right-on-red car (I’m assuming the U-turner doesn’t have their own stop sign, and that the U-turn is otherwise legal). ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/48 "2012-05-16T00:45:26Z")
Because of the asinine “Michigan left” road design, Left turns on red are pretty much mandatory if you want to get anywhere in metro Detroit faster than geologic time. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/49 "2012-05-16T02:09:11Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > I was behind a woman today who did not turn right on red, despite the fact there was not any traffic in her way (though she was talking on a cell phone, so I guess she was too busy with that). > > That got me to wondering if anyone purposefully does not turn right on red. > > If you don’t, then why? The way you phrased the poll it seems to imply you always do one or the other, but doesn’t leave an option for sometimes yes, sometimes no. I might not turn right on red for a number of reasons: [ul] [li]Someone in a big honkin’ SUV is on my left and I can’t see whether or not there is on-coming traffic.[/li][li]I’m unfamiliar with the location and I’m not sure right on red is OK, so instead of turning I’m looking for a “no turn on red” sign.[/li][li]I’m taking a moment at the red light to do something like adjust my seat/clothes/grab a tissue/change the radio/whatever instead of turning.[/li][li]I’m not in a hurry, so I’ll just wait for the green light (though if someone is behind me I’m not inclined to do that).[/li][/ul] Much of the time I do, in fact, turn right on red. Just not always. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/50 "2012-05-16T03:26:28Z")
Driving on the East Coast last month, I was struck by all the “No right turn on red” signs. Out West, we were always taught that was a basic human right. ---
**Author:** ![MrDurden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@MrDurden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDurden)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/51 "2012-05-16T03:49:20Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Yep, traffic laws are just suggestions, really. People are too afraid of Stop signs, too, they’re only there to dalay your flow; and they’re too afraid of One-Way signs when there’s really plenty of room for a car coming the other way. Use reason. Really…? tell me what is wrong with turning right on red even when a ‘No Turn on Red’ sign is there when there is absolutely no traffic coming through the intersection. Most of the time the sign is there just because… some of the times it is there because the intersection has a blind hill or whatever, THAT is when you use reason. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/52 "2012-05-16T03:50:02Z")
Not when I’m in Israel! ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/53 "2012-05-16T04:45:02Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Yes. In Michigan you can turn left on red if there’s no oncoming traffic and you’re turning onto a one-way street. I did not know this. In Illinois, like almost everywhere else, it can only be done FROM a one-way street ONTO a one-way street. > [@John\_DiFool](#): > > A better question would be to ask if you actually to bother to come to a complete stop (I am apparently the only driver around here who does That makes two of us. Also at stop signs. The only time I was rear-ended was in rush-hour traffic on a backed-up street blocks away from the nearest stop lights or signs. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/54 "2012-05-16T10:29:49Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > There are a lot of assholes around here who won’t turn right on red. I don’t know what their fucking problem is. Once I sat at this light for a really inordinate amount of time, probably at least three full minutes, and it never changed. I honked and honked and flashed my lights at the pickup truck in front of me (who had his right turn signal on) and the guy _would not fucking go_! To top it off, it was like 10 at night and nobody was even coming in the other direction. Eventually I just went around him. Point one: it is never _required_ to turn right on red. Never. Point two: A lot of people, if you start honking and otherwise trying to bullying them into doing something, will get stubborn and NOT do it even if prior to that they were on the verge of changing their minds. In other words, you were being a jerk and once the honking and flashing started I would have refused to move, too. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/55 "2012-05-16T10:39:12Z")
> [@MrDurden](#): > > Really…? tell me what is wrong with turning right on red even when a ‘No Turn on Red’ sign is there when there is absolutely no traffic coming through the intersection. It’s a traffic violation. If I do it and get caught will you pay for my ticket? No? Then I’m not doing it because you want me to. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/56 "2012-05-16T11:28:44Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > Honk all you like, if I can’t see that there’s no traffic coming, I’m not going to turn. This. Turning right on red is optional. Too many impatient drivers treat it like it’s mandatory. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/57 "2012-05-16T11:30:19Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > There are a lot of assholes around here who won’t turn right on red. I don’t know what their fucking problem is. Once I sat at this light for a really inordinate amount of time, probably at least three full minutes, and it never changed. I honked and honked and flashed my lights at the pickup truck in front of me (who had his right turn signal on) and the guy _would not fucking go_! To top it off, it was like 10 at night and nobody was even coming in the other direction. Eventually I just went around him. Oh, look. There’s one now. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/58 "2012-05-16T11:40:34Z")
> [@MrDurden](#): > > Really…? tell me what is wrong with turning right on red even when a ‘No Turn on Red’ sign is there when there is absolutely no traffic coming through the intersection. Most of the time the sign is there just because… some of the times it is there because the intersection has a blind hill or whatever, THAT is when you use reason. Well, what’s the difference between ignoring a “No Turn On Red” sign and ignoring any other traffic sign? By your reasoning, disobeying traffic law is OK as long as _you’ve_ determined you can do it safely. I’m not sure a lot of cops are going to buy that logic. Enjoy your ticket. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/59 "2012-05-16T11:55:39Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Well, what’s the difference between ignoring a “No Turn On Red” sign and ignoring any other traffic sign? By your reasoning, disobeying traffic law is OK as long as _you’ve_ determined you can do it safely. I’m not sure a lot of cops are going to buy that logic. Enjoy your ticket. Well the secret is to mentally append the clause “while cop watching” to traffic signs and it becomes much clearer what is allowed, and still no tickets. NO TURN ON RED [sub]while cop watching[/sub] Speed Limit 55 [sub]while cop watching[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983/60 "2012-05-16T12:44:49Z")
Like most here, I turn on red if it’s safe and legal, but my definitions of “safe” and “legal” seem to differ from some other (angry) drivers’. In Chicago, we have a lot of No Turn On Reds. And, infuriatingly, they tend to put these signs back just a little too far from the intersection for me to see when I’m actually at the right turn spot. They’re rectangular signs, as are the No Truck signs and the Parking Restrictions signs and the We Love Signs signs… so sometimes if I’m not thinking about it before I get to the intersection, I can’t recall if this one is a No Turn on Red or not. And I can’t read the sign. So rather than risk it (and I did get a red light ticket for a right turn on red at California and Diversey), I stay put. Sorry to piss you off, but adding peace and harmony to the world isn’t worth $100 on a regular basis. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-not-turn-right-on-red/621983.md?page=4)