Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asked several times to clarify the nature of right turns on a variety of red lights.  The question has come up often enough I thought I’d post an article here on the site.

SITUATION ONE: STEADY RED BALL

Most traffic signals have three heads – red, yellow and green ball lights.  In the absence of any other signs, especially a “NO TURN ON RED” sign, you may turn right, after stopping first and checking for pedestrians and cross traffic.

SITUATION TWO: NO TURN ON RED

“NO TURN ON RED” signs are usually posted at intersections where there is limited visibility or a high frequency of pedestrians crossing to make right turns on red more dangerous.

SITUATION THREE: 5-HEAD TRAFFIC SIGNAL

Some intersections are controlled by signals with 5 heads that include a green and yellow arrow for right turns.  Once the yellow arrow expires, the light defaults to the red ball.  At this stage, follow the rules for situation one above.

SITUATION FOUR: 6-HEAD TRAFFIC SIGNAL

Sometimes, there is also a red arrow for right turns.  When the red arrow is lit, right turns are prohibited.  A red arrow essentially is the same thing as a “NO TURN ON RED” sign.  This setup isn’t that common in our state, but it does exist and you just may come across it.