Why Are American Drivers Allowed to Turn on Red? #shorts

[TheJudge]

I think it's a good time to point out, we can only turn right on red. Obviously turning left on red is still illegal as we would have to cross oncoming traffic.

[nutkja]

My favorite driver’s ed story is about right turns on red. The instructor was also a cop and he was doing a behind the wheel lesson with this girl. She wasn’t comfortable doing a right on red at a certain intersection (you don’t have to make a right on red if you don’t want to) but the guy in the car behind them started blaring his horn and yelling. So the instructor got out of the car and wrote him a ticket for excessive horn usage. 😂

[cataylasunandriel]

It really does help with traffic too. As someone who lives in Michigan (we’re known for our summer construction). Not only does a right turn lane that can turn on red help with energy conservation. It helps with time. More people can make a light during traffic time and it decreases the line of cars waiting for lights.
(I also live in a place where some lights have “no turn on red” for safety reasons and these lights/areas take much longer to get through. )

[zerofoxgiven]

It's been increasingly bad that people forget they have to STOP first at the red before turning. I've been clipped multiple times by the cellphone suv people who just roll the red.

[WalterWD]

Turning right on red, where allowed, is allowed only after stopping, therefore making it comparable to turning right after stopping at a stop sign.

[gold_leaf]

It's one of those things that works perfectly for good drivers 100% of the time, but can be unsafe for drivers who aren't so good at keeping their eyes peeled like they should.

[Spazattitude]

It makes sense that in cities turning right on red is a much less common allowance but in more rural areas where pedestrian traffic isn't supper common being able to turn right on red is very convenient, there still are rules to turning right on a red as well so its not a free for all.

[GamerOfLegends]

"Unless otherwise indicated." I mean, it's the same way here, just the opposite way around. We have no turn on red signs at some spots

[jamesrobison]

Well, it's going to blow your mind to learn that we can turn left on red if both roads are one way.

[GrnXnham]

As a driver I LOVE right turns on red. It's a great time saver and, YES, it is going to save gas because of less idling. As a pedestrian in the crosswalk, I was nearly killed by some yahoo turning right on a red. They were, of course, looking left for oncoming traffic as they were turning right. They failed to look right and see me crossing the road. They turned and I had to dive out of their way to keep from being run over.

[mandarinduck]

What's annoying is when the driver behind you starts honking because you're waiting for pedestrians, or they want to make a turn but you're actually trying to go straight. I saw a guy honk so much at a lady in front of him that she started driving forward into an intersection during a red light because she wasn't sure what to do.

[danielleking]

Just to clarify -- you can only turn RIGHT at a red light, but you have to wait for any pedestrians to cross first. You are legally not allowed to turn until they have completely gone across to the other side of the crosswalk (though most don't wait until they've fully made it across the street). Also, fun fact -- you can turn LEFT at a red light *only* if it is onto a one-way street. Many Americans are so trained that you cannot turn left at a red light that some don't realize you can on a one-way street, so they will stay there and wait until the light turns green, lol

[slyllamademon]

Also some specific stoplights do not allow you to turn on red because of obstructed vision because of buildings or foliage.

[jayjack]

Because waiting for the light to change when there's no other traffic at the intersection is just bullcrap. Europe and UK also have a lot more circles than the US, so they don't have a need to turn on red as much

[mrgallbladder]

I love turns on red when I'm driving. I hate turns on red when I'm walking.

[rin-eri]

I like turns on red as a driver but as a pedestrian I think GOD DAMN IT AT LEAST LOOK BEFORE YOU TURN ON RED. Cause my dog and I legit almost got run over the other day. I had to yank my dog's leash (she was on a harness) to get her to my other side very quickly (away from the car) and the car only stopped like INCHES from my leg. Like my dog would have 100% been run over if I had gotten her to my other side quickly enough. And the driver looks at me like "what are you insane get out of the road?" but like BRO I HAVE THE WALK LIGHT why are you acting like i'm the unreasonable one?

[Big_Tex]

Here’s the thing, if it’s illegal at a given intersection, that sign needs to be right up there next to the damn light. I’ve seen stops where the no-turn sign is very obscurely placed and easy to miss, and that’s just a local-yokel trap to generate revenue. Looking at you Arlington, TX.

[Ticklestein]

“Let me know what you think”
- I actually was stunned for a second, then I realized I don’t really think about this, or need to think or have a thought about it.

Liberating

[tedsowards]

I love being able to turn right on red! Especially here in Phoenix where all intersections are right angles, you can clearly see down the road if it's clear.

[alistairblaire]

The only drawback is if you have a jerk behind you who thinks a 3 foot gap in 50mph traffic means you need to make the turn. They will honk and/or scream out the window.