Driving Laws - Right turn at intersections

[TomMcNe]

Hi everyone,
It's been a few years since I last drove in the US (Oregon about 8 years ago) and I seem to remember being able to do a right turn at an intersection even if the lights were at red.
Am I correct in thinking this or is an old man's memeory getting the better of me
Any other rules like this worth remembering?

[Midwest Michael]

Right turns during a Red Light are typically legal. Usually, there will be signs posted if turning on red is illegal.

That said, there may be one or two states where its not allowed, I'd have to do a little research to find out which, if any states those are. Unfortuantly, when you've got 50 different states creating their own traffic laws, sometimes everything isn't as consistant as we'd like.

[Mass Tim]

These laws can vary from state to state - for instance, upon entering Connecticut on some routes, there is a sign that states "right turn on red except where posted". That is the rule in Massachusetts as well.

I think Gerald Ford had something to do with this.

Anyway, the best advice I can give you is to:
a) check the law in the state you are driving in.
b) Always come to a complete stop and make sure it is safe to turn right on red if allowed to do so.

[UKCraig]

I didn't know you had to come to a stop if you were clear to go... ooops. I will have to be more careful :o

[Mass Tim]

I didn't know you had to come to a stop if you were clear to go

In many areas not stopping before turning on red is the same as running a red light. The important thing here is not only the car you don't see that may be flying along the cross street, trying to beat the yellow light, or just turned out from a parking lot, etc, but pedestrians.

Things on the road are often not as they initially appear, just like the surprise cop that pulls you over - "Where did he come from?!"

[Midwest Michael]

Right turn on red actually is allowed in all 50 states, at least according to a handful of websites that all posted the same information. And Tim is also right that it is a creation of President Ford, who urged the law in order to reduce congestion in the heart of the gas crunch era.

Now where the law gets real interesting is the Left turn on red! In 42 states it is legal to turn left on red when you are going from a one way street onto another one way street. And in about 5 states its legal to turn left on red onto a one way street, even if you are starting from a 2 way street!

[Mark Sedenquist]

I didn't know you had to come to a stop if you were clear to go..

In most jurisdictions -- failure to come to a full stop on a right-hand turn on red will run USD $250.00!

Mark