Is now the time to ban right turns on red lights in cities across North America?

In the last 50 years, Americans and Canadians have enjoyed a unique freedom—the right to turn right at a red traffic light. It’s a practice embedded in driving culture and implemented across most states and provinces with a few exceptions such as New York City and Montreal. However, a growing concern surrounding pedestrian safety and the rising number of pedestrian fatalities has prompted a reevaluation of this long-standing tradition. Is it time to ban right turns on red lights, well, in all major cities?

Pedestrian Fatalities on the Rise

Pedestrian deaths in the United States are soaring, reaching their highest levels since 1981. In 2021, over 7,500 pedestrians lost their lives while walking on American roads, representing a staggering 77% increase in fatalities from 2010 to 2021, according to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The reasons behind this alarming trend are multifaceted. The popularity of SUVs, urban planning that prioritizes cars over pedestrians, and reckless driving patterns exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic all play a role. While banning right turns on red lights may not be a panacea for this issue, proponents argue that it can contribute to making streets safer.

Creating Predictable Streets

Advocates for the safety movement emphasize the importance of predictability on the road believing that banning right turns on red lights would create a more predictable environment for all road users.

People for Bikes, a national organization dedicated to promoting cycling, includes a call for a ban on right turns on red lights in its model legislation. They highlight that intersections are critical areas for road safety, where conflicts between cyclists and drivers are most prevalent.

Historical Roots and Contemporary Concerns

The practice of making right turns on red lights was not always legal across the United States. It was only in the 1970s that the federal government encouraged states to allow this, primarily as an energy-conservation measure during the oil crisis. However, research from 1984 found that at intersections allowing right turns on red, crashes increased by 23%, pedestrian crashes went up by 60%, and cyclist crashes doubled.

Recent studies have raised similar concerns. Researchers in Toronto found that drivers focused on finding gaps in oncoming traffic when making right turns on red lights, which often resulted in drivers overlooking pedestrians trying to cross the road.

No right on red sign in Toronto

Overcoming Resistance to Change

While there is growing support for banning right turns on red lights at the local level, implementing such a change at the federal level faces resistance. The car-centric culture in parts of the United States, where personal transportation heavily relies on cars and walking infrastructure is often lacking, contributes to this resistance. Many drivers view right turns on red as a means to expedite their commutes, especially in congested areas like Los Angeles.

However, advocates argue that the potential reduction in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities far outweighs the fuel savings, especially in a time when efforts are being made to decrease vehicle miles traveled and promote fuel-efficient cars and electric vehicles.

The Future of Right Turns on Red

Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, and Washington, D.C., are taking steps toward banning right turns on red lights to improve road safety. The success of pilot programs and growing support from advocates and experts demonstrate that the elimination of right turns on red is a critical measure to create safer, more predictable streets.

Denver

In a world where pedestrian and cyclist safety is paramount, the question remains: Should the United States continue to allow right turns on red lights? As cities across the country contemplate this crucial decision, the growing call for change may signal a shift towards more secure and sustainable streets for all.