PSA: If the light is red you can take a right.

[StageLeft]

Come on, I know you can. I've faith in you. Take a quick look left, turn that wheel, and give it some gas. That's right...yeah, you're doing it now. A little further...you're almost there! Keep giving that little bit of throttle. I know you can do it! Not much longer now; you've almost done it. Horay! Wow, I'm so proud of you! What a great job!

 

[Savij]

But what about the sign there that says "No right turn on Red"?

 

[Ornery]

• Fvck that, I've got people who won't move when the damn light's GREEN! :|

 

[XZeroII]

Turning on red is not the law. I do it, but only if there is a really good opening. I don't care if the jerk behind me would have gone, or if an old grandma would have gone. I'll go when I feel like it.

 

[ohtwell]

I know what you mean Skoorb! I have people in front of me all the time who just sit there at the light until it turns green and then turn right. They are from here, so they have to know that you can turn right on red, unless it says not to. Half the time they don't even have their turn signals on! Idiot Alabama drivers.


: ) Amanda

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: Ornery

• Fvck that, I've got people who won't move when the damn light's GREEN! :|

As long as aren't one of those people who wait about 1/2 of a second then lay on your horn, then I agree. However, when the light changes, I check to make sure there isn't some speeding maniac who thought he could make it, but was wrong and now is going too fast to stop even though the light is solid red.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: XZeroII
Turning on red is not the law. I do it, but only if there is a really good opening. I don't care if the jerk behind me would have gone, or if an old grandma would have gone. I'll go when I feel like it.

Which walker did you end up buying in the end, XZero?

 

[Kadarin]

I believe it depends on what state you're in. If I recall, right-turn-on-red is illegal in some states.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
I believe it depends on what state you're in. If I recall, right-turn-on-red is illegal in some states.

It's illegal in Quebec I think, too

 

[Taggart]

Right, and turning left on red on a one way street is legal too (at least here in GA). You don't have that option too much if you're not in Atlanta or other city, but it annoys me all the same if someone just sits there on red!

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
I believe it depends on what state you're in. If I recall, right-turn-on-red is illegal in some states.

I think it's illegal in NY but not in NJ.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Ornery

• Fvck that, I've got people who won't move when the damn light's GREEN! :|

As long as aren't one of those people who wait about 1/2 of a second then lay on your horn, then I agree. However, when the light changes, I check to make sure there isn't some speeding maniac who thought he could make it, but was wrong and now is going too fast to stop even though the light is solid red.

Just yesterday, light turns green, she sits there. Truck on her left starts making it's turn, she sits there. I release the brake, and creep forward, she sits there. I hit the horn, she looks up at the light, yet hasn't moved. I reach for my door handle... :|

 

[LordJezo]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
I believe it depends on what state you're in. If I recall, right-turn-on-red is illegal in some states.

I think it's illegal in NY but not in NJ.

Illegal in NYC, not NY as a whole.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Ornery

• Fvck that, I've got people who won't move when the damn light's GREEN! :|

As long as aren't one of those people who wait about 1/2 of a second then lay on your horn, then I agree. However, when the light changes, I check to make sure there isn't some speeding maniac who thought he could make it, but was wrong and now is going too fast to stop even though the light is solid red.

Just yesterday, light turns green, she sits there. Truck on her left starts making it's turn, she sits there. I release the brake, and creep forward, she sits there. I hit the horn, she looks up at the light, yet hasn't moved. I reach for my door handle... :|

I give somebody long enough to go until I've determined that they are actually not aware of the light change, then I honk. If I'm in their position I expect a honking also. Unlike some of the more easily offended people in the world, I don't get upset when somebody honks at me if it's my fault, and if I'm holding up a line of people, it is indeed my fault. I honk frequently at people, but I guess that's what I have to do for being of the mindset that there are others on the road and we have to be considerate of them. Some people don't have such a mindset.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Link

Right Turn On Red Light
Unless there is a sign to the contrary, you can turn right on a circular red traffic light throughout the USA and Canada, except within New York City. School buses carrying pupils are not permitted to turn right on red lights throughout New York State.
Justin JIH (external link verified Jun-03) reports that it is now legal the turn right on a red light throughout the Province of Québec except in the Island of Montreal.

You must always come to a complete stop and check that the way is clear before making a right turn on a red light.

The "turn right on red" rule was introduced as a petrol saving measure in the 1970's. It is designed to avoid cars sitting at lights wasting petrol when they could safely turn and continue on their way.

Some junctions have signs indicating "No right turn on red", or "No turns on red". This is usually due to the junction frequently being busy or problems with visibility.

I'd sure look it up if I wasn't sure, but it has been legal in every state I've lived in.

(looks like those durn Canadians do it too)

 

[Linflas]

We have left turn on red here if you are on a 1 way street turning left onto a 1 way street. A lot of people seem to have a real inability to deal with that as well.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: LordJezo

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
I believe it depends on what state you're in. If I recall, right-turn-on-red is illegal in some states.

I think it's illegal in NY but not in NJ.

Illegal in NYC, not NY as a whole.

that is 100% correct (speaking as someone who lives in New Jersey but drives in NYC all the time).

in Jersey, right-on-red is legal at all intersections unless noted otherwise. in NYC, right on red prohibited at all times, it's just that no one follows the law.

 

[kranky]

I get honked at a couple times a week for not turning right on red at a certain intersection. The reason I don't is because it's unsafe. Yes, it would be legal, but in this case it's not a good idea.

The road I would be turning on to is very narrow, and goes downhill as it approaches the intersection. The cars coming from the right are coming to a T, so the ones turning left don't have to worry about oncoming traffic. The net effect of all that is the they start drifting into the lane I would be in as they start their turn. You'd have to be insane to turn right on red if there are cars coming down the hill, unless you're on a motorcycle and can hug the curb as you do it.

I won't do it at other intersections if I can't see far enough to know if it's very, very clear. I also won't do it where I would be turning onto a multilane road if only the right lane is clear. I've seen too many people who weave in and out of lanes, and I won't assume they will think to stay out of the right lane because someone might turn right on red.

 

[Ausm]

Only if it is not marked they you cannot turn right on red



Sysadmin

 

[dman]

A few times I've been at a left turn light which has a signal but shares a green light so you can keep going if traffic is clear.... well during rush hour there's a few intersections like that that there is not a break in traffic to go. Most folks will creep out into the intersection and go when the ligth turns yellow/red but technically that's illegal.

When I'm alone I'll often take part in that illegal, but rarely enforced maneuver. However, when I'm with my family, not a chance. I've been passed on the right, twice now, by impatient folks who can't wait 30s till the next green. (The other direction is a very short light). Honestly I don't care that they pass me, it's their life, but the honking and glaring is just wrong. Risk your own life but don't get p'd at me if I choose not to risk our lives.

 

[mugs]

I wish it was legal to make a left turn on red from one one-way street to another.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: kranky
I get honked at a couple times a week for not turning right on red at a certain intersection. The reason I don't is because it's unsafe. Yes, it would be legal, but in this case it's not a good idea.

The road I would be turning on to is very narrow, and goes downhill as it approaches the intersection. The cars coming from the right are coming to a T, so the ones turning left don't have to worry about oncoming traffic. The net effect of all that is the they start drifting into the lane I would be in as they start their turn. You'd have to be insane to turn right on red if there are cars coming down the hill, unless you're on a motorcycle and can hug the curb as you do it.

I won't do it at other intersections if I can't see far enough to know if it's very, very clear. I also won't do it where I would be turning onto a multilane road if only the right lane is clear. I've seen too many people who weave in and out of lanes, and I won't assume they will think to stay out of the right lane because someone might turn right on red.

Your last point I will do, but not always. It depends on how heavy the other traffic is and whether I think they'll slide into my lane, and how likely they are to expect me to pull out.

 

[allisolm]

I wish it was legal to make a left turn on red from one one-way street to another.

It is in FL and , as Taggart said, in GA and, as Linflas said, in VA. Other states?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: allisolm
I wish it was legal to make a left turn on red from one one-way street to another.

It is in FL and , as Taggart said, in GA and, as Linflas said, in VA. Other states?

You can in TX (just looked it up)

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: allisolm
I wish it was legal to make a left turn on red from one one-way street to another.

It is in FL and , as Taggart said, in GA and, as Linflas said, in VA. Other states?

Whoops. Apparantly is is legal in PA, but not in NJ.

Chart of all states (it is on Geocities, but it looks legitimate. I confirmed the PA law here)