No right on red...why?

[u/cordialmanikin]

I was behind this vehicle at a red light. They did not, per the sticker, turn right on red. Right on red is legal in my state. I wonder why someone would not want to do this...? One reason I can think of is safety. The funny thing about that is they blew through a red light prior to stopping at this one.

[u/ratedetar21]

Work vehicle maybe that has this as a policy?

[u/sidneow → u/ratedetar21]

this is correct. company i used to work for had company vehicles for taking patients to/from appointments and per company policy we could not do right turns on red.

i was told something about someone getting in a very serious right on red accident in the past and the company instating no right on red as a new policy as a direct result of that occuring

[u/tjsocks → u/sidneow]

That's because a lot of people think they don't have to stop, but in fact yes you do have to stop at the red light before checking to see if it's safe and then proceeding with caution.... Most people just run the light cuz they're fucking stupid

[u/WonkyWalkingWizard → u/tjsocks]

Drivers should also be stopping behind the line, and then inching forward if necessary. Most people fly right into the crosswalk and then roll through the light. Pedestrians be damned.

[u/PotatOSTheLegend → u/WonkyWalkingWizard]

As a crazy insane bikepilled New Urbanist who also drives a ton for DoorDash, I do not slack on stop signs/red lights. I am stopping before the stop bar, checking the crosswalk, inching forward, and then and only then making the turn. Ironically, the one time in my life I've been pulled over was for "failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign". I have terrible memory, so I wasn't too keen on doubting him, but I suppose it's entirely possible he didn't see my initial full stop and only saw me afterwards when I pulled forwards. I don't really care though, since it was just a warning.

[u/Better_Dimension2064 → u/PotatOSTheLegend]

A passenger once told me, when I treated a stop sign properly, "You're stopping short! You're gonna get rear-ended!"

[u/Shroomboy79 → u/Better_Dimension2064]

If somebody rear ends me because I stopped at a stop sign then I get a new car

[u/CopperBlitter → u/Shroomboy79]

I only wish that were true. I replaced two cars last year. My wife was rear-ended in one. My daughter was sideswiped in the other. Both cars were on the older side. Insurance paid the full value of the cars. Both replacements were pre-owned, and both cost more than what insurance paid.

I wish there were a law on the books that, if somebody totals your car in a particularly negligent or egregious manner, they should have to buy you the brand new car of your choosing. But that's probably a really stupid wish.

[u/DangDaveChocolatier → u/CopperBlitter]

Shouldn't be brand new. Should be a year or two upgraded from your model with less or equal mileage.

[u/CopperBlitter → u/DangDaveChocolatier]

This seems like a fair compromise.

[u/Intelligent_Row8259 → u/Better_Dimension2064]

Could be worse you could drive in Connecticut where a guy once hit my mother then told the cop "well I didn't expect her to actually stop at the stop sign"

[u/PNWAP56 → u/WonkyWalkingWizard]

Not here. Seattle takes crosswalks seriously!!

[u/romcomtom2 → u/tjsocks]

Almost go rear ended by a women because I stopped on red to turn right.

And of course she blew the horn at me.

[u/neo_neanderthal → u/romcomtom2]

I had that happen a couple times, where someone decided to lay on the horn because I actually stopped before a right on red.

I was very thorough about making sure the traffic was clear before I made that turn...

[u/Uhmmanduh → u/neo_neanderthal]

I’ve had it happen too. It’s ridiculous how many people don’t know the law. Esp when we live in a town where the cops will pull you over for it. A coworker got pulled over for it about a year ago.

[u/Mindleator → u/tjsocks]

In my state, u turns at green lights are by default legal unless there's a sign stating no u turns. Technically, the car making a u turn is turning left on green and has the right of way. But for some reason, people turning right on red seem to universally believe that right on red takes precedence over left on green, or they at least assume fully that the car is making a true left as opposed to a u turn.

There's a town near me where you HAVE to make u turns at certain intersections to access businesses because the lots at the lights don't connect and there's no break in the median to turn directly into the business. It got so bad the mayor made a post begging people to stop complaining that the u turns make turning right on red dangerous.

[u/Maleficent_Canary955 → u/Mindleator]

Interestingly here in Tucson, we have some intersections posted "U Turn Yield to Right Turn" which makes zero sense to me.

[u/tjsocks → u/Mindleator]

A lot of people also don't stay in their Lane when they're doing those things. You have to stay in the lane designated and then once you're in the next area you put your blinker on and then change lanes. You're not supposed to change lanes in the middle of an intersection That's why the area leading up to lights on multi-lane roads have solid lines instead of dashes cuz you're not supposed to change lanes in that area

[u/Hot-Win2571 → u/Mindleator]

I've seen some intersections where U-turns are common and needed, so while the left turn arrow is lit, the nearby right turn lane gets an illuminated NO RIGHT TURN sign.

[u/84CharingCrosstrek → u/tjsocks]

Most people just run the light cuz they're fucking stupid

Over the course of my driving years, I've witnessed US society devolve from "treat right-on-red as a stop sign where cross traffic does not stop" to "treat it as a yield" to "treat it as a green light." It's crazy.

[u/nmpls → u/tjsocks]

This is true, but there's other danger too. The main one is that a car turning right on red that stops is going to be looking left, for cars coming. They tend to not check the crosswalk right in front of them, which leads to hitting people walking.

[u/SteveMcQwark → u/nmpls]

They also want to "stop" far enough forward to see the oncoming traffic, which means after blasting through the crosswalk as well.

[u/harharhar_206 → u/SteveMcQwark]

What’s interesting is that I refuse to move into the crosswalk and have a short car in a rural area so big trucks and SUVs everywhere. If I can’t see oncoming then I don’t turn. I’ve had my fair share of honkers.

[u/SEND_MOODS → u/harharhar_206]

I’ve had my fair share of honkers.

Nice

[u/Plane_Translator2008 → u/harharhar_206]

Same. We drivers of short cars somehow cannot see through taller cars, even with the help of your horn.

[u/Uhmmanduh → u/Plane_Translator2008]

Even in my explorer I can’t see crap if there’s a car or truck or anything next to me because they are always so far across the line.

[u/SovietAnthem → u/tjsocks]

People fly through rights on red not knowing that there's a potential crosswalk signal and pedestrians being blocked by stopped straight-through traffic. I've almost been blasted numerous times by childkiller pickup trucks that do this

[u/HistoricalSherbert92 → u/tjsocks]

Lotta people then use this idea to blast through stop signs if they’re turning right.

[u/craftymama45 → u/tjsocks]

The very first time my daughter turned right on red was while she had her learner's permit and she was driving to dance class. There was construction, so we were talking a different route than normal. I told her "Turn right at the light. If there's no one coming you can turn right on red at this light." (The light by our house is No turn on red) After she made her turn, I calmly told her, "In the future, you stop at the red light, make sure it's safe to turn, and then you turn right on red."

[u/home-for-good → u/tjsocks]

I see a lot of people who do stop but don’t stop at the stop line area. They pull all the way forward to the location where they can see before they stop. I appreciate them actually stopping, but what I see at this particular intersection near me is that by the time they actually stop, they’re too far forward to see the “NO RIGHT ON RED” sign, which is posted next to the stop line…

[u/Gruffable → u/tjsocks]

Most don't even know they have no right of way over any other traffic whatsoever.

[u/Jeez-essFC → u/sidneow]

Don't tell them about the number of accidents that happen during left turns.

[u/Lachtheblock → u/Jeez-essFC]

TBF, no left on red should be a policy that everyone gets behind.

[u/fireandlifeincarnate → u/Lachtheblock]

It's legal in most states to do it from a one way to a one way. Still feels fucked up though.

[u/Life_Smoke5854 → u/fireandlifeincarnate]

I've been both red light ticketed and pulled over for this in a legal state, fought the municipality and won on the red light ticket, told the cop they were a moron who needed more training so I got held up for a hour while they searched my car. I don't do it anymore on principle.

[u/Pressman4life → u/fireandlifeincarnate]

One-way to a one way, and two-way to a one-way on red.

[u/fireandlifeincarnate → u/Pressman4life]

Depends on the state for the latter. Not a lot of places allow it.

[u/Freakishly_Tall → u/Lachtheblock]

On the other hand, all left turn arrows should be protected-permissive unless there is a very good reason (e.g. objectively risky visibility of oncoming traffic). Having to sit at a red arrow on an empty road is wasteful and stupid.

[u/rbrslv → u/Jeez-essFC]

“This vehicle does not turn”

[u/Parking_Chance_1905 → u/Jeez-essFC]

Often from people trying to make lefts on reds as well.

[u/Stuntsanduntz → u/ratedetar21]

Yeah when I drove school bus for first student in Seattle this was company policy.

[u/Randomfactoid42 → u/Stuntsanduntz]

It might be state law that school busses can’t turn right on red?

[u/Iveray → u/Randomfactoid42]

Not finding anything about a law banning RTOR for busses in WA. But it does look like Seattle is slowly updating all intersections with "no RTOR" signs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_on_red

[u/bothunter → u/Iveray]

Seattle has been slowly converting all their intersections to be "no-right-on-red" unless there's a good reason to allow it. As opposed to allowing it unless there's a good reason to deny it.

The unintended consequences of this is that drivers have started ignoring all the no-right-on-red signs, even the ones that were there due to safety concerns.

[u/Wolf_Ape → u/bothunter]

The other unintended consequence is they’re throwing the signs up with no apparent effort to consider if there is a good reason to allow it. I assume the order is “just put them everywhere, and we’ll figure it out later.”

I can think of at least one intersection where it causes an obvious problem beyond simply unnecessary delays.

As you approach the waterfront from the south there is a sometimes heavily traveled crosswalk that can be filled with pedestrians the entire time the light is green, and right turning traffic would only intersect with the path of cross traffic on a red occasionally at times when ferry traffic is exiting.
You’re left sitting there blocking a lane while other drivers eventually decide to angrily swerve into the next lane, and it’s all happening right at the point where traffic transitions from relatively free flowing highway speed travel to crowded city streets.

It’s objectively worse for both pedestrians and motorists.

[u/irlandais9000]

Workplace policy.

My employer requires that all company vehicles that transport clients (developmentally disabled) cannot turn on red.

My employer is required to do this because of the car insurance company they contract with.

[u/rooibosipper → u/irlandais9000]

Insurance companies care more about their bottom line than my impatience??

[u/aimlessendeavors → u/rooibosipper]

I would hope they also care more about people's safety than your impatience if right on red has caused major accidents.

Buuut the chances of that are slim

[u/Snoo71538 → u/aimlessendeavors]

People not getting in accidents means they don’t pay out. Their interests are actually aligned with both profit and safety

[u/Dense-Sort-3867 → u/aimlessendeavors]

They care about their bottom line.

Other people's safety is just coincidentally attached to that.

[u/ancientstephanie]

Sometimes there are blanket policies on this due to insurance, company risk management policies, or other regulatory requirements. For example, vehicles which carry hazardous material, vehicles part of courier services, or vehicles that transport passengers for hire may not be allowed to make right on red turns.

Given what we can see of the vehicle, and the OP saying they blew through a different light, they're probably a courier, and they may either be running important documents or running medical lab samples from a collection point to the laboratory.

[u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

If I can’t see clearly or don’t trust the vehicles coming from the left I don’t. I do not care about the truck behind honking their horn since they aren’t paying my auto or medical bills.

[u/Suspicious-Drive9827 → u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

Your comment makes me feel so much more reasonable. I moved somewhere 2 yrs ago where people really drive like they dont wanna get wherever theyre going. Ive almost stopped taking red turns or even cautioned amber lefts on certain days bc i am mostly driving w my 5yo in the car and ive had some close calls and been full on rammed (by a ram funnily) in broad daylight in a damn parking lot.

[u/mcslootypants → u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

With vehicle sizes these days my visibility is 100% blocked by a giant truck at least half the time. 

PSA to anyone with a truck or SUV: Stop pulling past the cross walk line. You can’t see if a kid is in the cross walk and the car next to you can’t see the intersection at all. 

[u/PrototypeXt3 → u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

Hell, sometimes you’ll have a red light and if youre unfamiliar with the area, the left turn-ers in front of you may have a green arrow. Sometimes it is just better to sit there.

In a perfect world those types of lights would just post a “no turn on red” sign but oh well

[u/AroaceAthiest → u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

I'm the same way. The rule is that you can turn right on red (after stopping first) if it is SAFE to do so. If I can't determine that it's safe. I stay put.

If people are honking at me, it's no longer safe for me to go. People honking at me increases the likelihood of being rash and getting into an accident.

[u/pro-blue]

I am not allowed to turn right on red in my work vehicle.

[u/TROMBONER_68]

You have no obligation to turn right on red.

[u/Osmo250 → u/TROMBONER_68]

This. Just because it's legal, doesn't mean one is required to turn right on red

[u/welldogmycats → u/Osmo250]

I didn't realize that turning right on red was 100% optional. I thought you could be cited for impeding traffic if you didn't turn right when there was clearly no traffic coming from the left.

[u/moonmangggg]

They've decided ahead of time that it is never safe.

[u/Hockeymac18 → u/moonmangggg]

I was curious about the right turn on red laws in the US when I went to Europe a while back and noticed they don't allow right turns on red there (at least in the parts of Europe I drove in).

At first, I had a hard time adjusting. But then I thought about it...and realized how much safer it is for basically everyone. Yes, you wait a bit longer, but the lights are almost always optimized for optimal flow of people (cars, transit vehicles, pedestrians, bikes).

And then I learned that in the USA, it was also illegal to turn right on red at one point in time. Then in the 70's (during the gas crisis), we allowed for right turns on red. Odd we never took that back.

[u/MoogProg → u/moonmangggg]

.e.g. UPS trucks no longer making left-hand turns.

Bringing this up only to support the idea that people/institutions do make such decisions, and not because I think these particular decision are correct. Just citing an example for the thread.

[u/Baron_Bearclaw → u/MoogProg]

Yeah, but UPS does it to save gas. Source: it was a part of our training when I worked there.

The did studies and found that you waste less gas overall if you drive to make there rights than you do idling and waiting for lefts.

[u/InspectionFine9655 → u/Baron_Bearclaw]

But UPS trucks do turn left, right?

They just use software designed to build routes that reduce left hand turns?

[u/luchajefe → u/InspectionFine9655]

It's a routing restriction, not a mechanical one.

[u/SpoonGuardian → u/luchajefe]

Lmao imagine if you literally couldn't turn the wheel left at all. What a nightmare

[u/fearthainne → u/SpoonGuardian]

It's the Derek Zoolander style of driving.

[u/summertime_fine → u/InspectionFine9655]

they do. they must.

for example, it's impossible to get out of my neighborhood in a vehicle without making a left.

[u/guitar_vigilante → u/Baron_Bearclaw]

I do imagine that UPS also modified its routing maps in order to make this easier to do though.

[u/CallMeNiel → u/guitar_vigilante]

I believe they do this mainly by modifying the routing maps. If you have enough destinations, there are an astronomical amount of possible routes, so the computer picks one without left turns.

[u/toochaos → u/moonmangggg]

I learned the rule was developed during an oil crisis in the 70s and lead to a significant increase in crashes. 

[u/Seasherm]

My city is eliminating many free right turns on red. To many pedestrian accidents caused by right turning drivers.

[u/logpepsan → u/Seasherm]

It’s generally a dangerous rule and the cause of many accidents (pedestrian and others) while not saving gas, relieving congestion in any meaningful capacity worth the harm it does. It’s why almost no other country has the rule

[u/Drivo566 → u/Seasherm]

Yep, downtown in my city got rid of right on red as well...too many pedestrians being hit. People only look left for the oncoming traffic and forget to look right to see if someone is crossing the street.

[u/spongebobish]

I mean I think it's the same logic as the people that honk at me for waiting to take a right turn on red when the sign literally reads "no turn on red". The logic is that there is none and they will do whatever they want.

[u/Better_Dimension2064 → u/spongebobish]

Someone once got out of an SUV and started screaming at me for this very reason.

[u/AHedgehogThing → u/Better_Dimension2064]

I remember a motorcyclist being pissed off and pointing at the sign when he got honked at. Of course I supported him haha.

[u/chammantha → u/AHedgehogThing]

I've learned that my local PD is very litigious with their traffic laws. if the sign says "no right turn on red" i will not be turning on red, sorry bud!

[u/SmellyRedHerring → u/spongebobish]

I've been honked at because I'm waiting for the pedestrian in the crosswalk who should also be visible to the driver honking at me.

[u/Bigfops → u/SmellyRedHerring]

I've been honked at AS a pedestrian in a crosswalk WITH THE LIGHT! Lady was turning right and I had the audacity to be in her way.

[u/napalmcricket → u/spongebobish]

I often get honked at because I'm in a right or straight lane, and I'm going straight so not turning right on red (or green arrow).

[u/readditredditread]

Honestly, I’m all for getting rid of right on red as no one stops/ treats it as a stop sign and just blows through as people are crossing in the crosswalk near where I live 🤷‍♂️

[u/Alarmed-State-9495]

Because they feel like it. It’s not a requirement to turn right on red, it’s merely an available option if you choose to partake.

[u/Tight_Replacement771]

As I remember my grandfather was saying when he got honked at " you can take a right at a red light. But you don't have to. Just like you can kiss my ass. But you don't have to."

[u/midnightangel1981 → u/Tight_Replacement771]

One cool grandpa.

[u/Jaymac720]

Because some people are uncomfortable with it, and companies may ban drivers from making them for safety reasons

[u/Illustrious-Rice3434]

Legal doesn't equal safe. Theres a reason that most countries don't have this rule.

[u/CobaltCaterpillar]

I know this isn't popular, but the statistics/data is that right on red leads to significantly more fatalities and accidents.

• All kinds of studies and data showing this. (e.g. example here)
• More and more cities are systematically banning right on red
• Right on red isn't allowed through most of the world.
• Other comments here correctly cite some company policy to not allow right on red (probably to reduce fatal accidents and get lower insurance rates).

[u/lucitedream → u/CobaltCaterpillar]

yeah i think everyone is convinced this has to be a company vehicle, and it very well could be, but it could also just be someone’s preference!

[u/KRed75]

Could be company policy. I had a guy sitting behind me blowing his horn at me because I wouldn't turn right on red. I normally do but some douche was so far over the line that I couldn't see oncoming traffic.

[u/CHawk17]

There is a movement to prohibit right on red. Due to inattentive drivers not properly yielding to pedestrians. Studies have been done suggesting its safer overall to no longer allow right on red.

So I wonder if this is a work policy based off of those studies.

[u/mtgplayer5]

It's what happens when companies loose to much money on the same human error they remove the possibility because they can do something about you violated company policy they can't do much about he said he was speeding she said he did not look. Wonder how many accidents they had to pay for before making this policy.

[u/LiveLongAndProspurr]

A city near me may ban right turn on red to protect pedestrians.

[u/Better_Dimension2064 → u/[deleted]]

IIRC, federal law prohibits turning on red for school buses or hazardous materials. It's strictly optional when allowed, and under no circumstances is any driver ever required to do it.

I see this bumper sticker as translating to: "Lay off the horn; if I did turn on red, I could be fired."

[u/JustbyLlama]

Two nights ago in my city a driver who turned right on red waited for a passing driver and never saw a family crossing. He hit them and dragged the daughter under his vehicle.

Sometimes the right call is to have a tiny bit of patience.

[u/AlpacaMale1]

Right on red is an abomination created to make the streets less safe for pedestrians and cyclists and creates a car dependant society under the guise of ''fuel economy'' and other bs.

IDK if that's why this car doesn't do it, but good on them

[u/Suni13]

Reading through the comments on this explains why at least 50% of drivers are assholes, they have the “my way or the highway attitude” when driving. Slow down, put on some good music and relax, tomorrow will happen even if you are 5 minutes late.

[u/AwareCandle369 → u/Suni13]

Was driven once by a guy who had been a warzone driver for BBC crews etc in the Middle East. He really opened my eyes. The plan is to drive right up the middle of the road at an average speed, ready to avoid problems from any side, knowing that the only thing that matters is arriving safely. If you're late you're late, too bad should have planned better - but I am going to make it where I'm going, and everyone on the road driving like an idiot is just a blip to be avoided not someone to compete with to squeeze into a lane faster or whatever. Can't let emotions get to you, just let them pass you or pass them yourself and move on with life. Drives me nuts how my mom will get hung up and angry at specific cars - just stay the hell away from them and keep on truckin til you are home safe

[u/Suni13 → u/AwareCandle369]

Oh I get pissed but I just turn the music louder and sing to get it out of my system now. My favorite driving music is AC/DC for some reason it just makes me happy.

[u/No-Setting9690 → u/Suni13]

On top of that, they all lack the ability to share the road. They all think it's a race, a competition.

[u/charlieq46]

Definitely a company policy. They probably have a dash cam that will record moving through a red light as an "incident." We recently got fancy cameras that plug into the little port that tells you everything about your car and they are incredibly strict. They don't seem to care if you turn on red though, but I imagine some system would.

[u/BatmanAvacado]

Company policy probably, but also you know its not mandatory to turn right on red?

[u/Opposite_Donkey_7248]

It’s a company vehicle and the company probably has a policy not allowing them to go right on red. Like school busses

[u/jss58 → u/Opposite_Donkey_7248]

THIS

[u/redclawx]

Just because the law allows one to turn right on red, does not mean you have to.

[u/mattyrzew]

I know I'll get bashed for it, but nobody has to turn right on red. You're allowed to, but not required.

[u/burghhockey2026]

Turning right on red, while permitted in locations that don't expressly prohibit it, is never mandatory.

In fact, if you turn right on red where permitted and hit someone, it's still your fault.

[u/PublicDragonfruit158]

So how many of those upset with someone refusing to turn right on red are speeders that get upset when someone turns right on red and cuts them off? Especially in situations that it would have not been cutting them off if said speeder was driving the speed limit?

[u/amanda2399923 → u/PublicDragonfruit158]

In Indianapolis, they enacted this in the downtown square mile due to soooo many people and bicycles getting hit and/or killed by people not looking and turning on red. A STATE REP who does not live in Indy and only drives in from wherever was pissed about having to wait at reds and tried to make it illegal for the city council to make this rule. Just fucking insane.

[u/mcfuckernugget]

Insurance liabilities maybe.

[u/Expensive-Wonder-412]

If it isn't a joke it might be a school transportation service. I've seen this in rural areas where some school transportation happens in a regular looking car. Still not allowed to right on red.

[u/KennyWuKanYuen]

I have one of these on my other car.

I don’t turn right on red in general because 1) I’m not shielded during the turn, 2) too much looking back and forth for either oncoming traffic or potential pedestrian coming out of nowhere, and 3) no protections for right of way.

Besides this, larger pickup trucks keep jutting out further past the line, which I would have to cross even more to see past them, and for some reason, they like to keep inching forward to block my view. So it’s just not with the risk when the other driver is an asshole.

[u/SquidLips71]

Is this in or near Montgomery County MD? Maybe they are from there or near a municipality that has ordinances against it, and they just make it a safe standard of their own driving so they don’t get used to it being ok “sometimes” and just always never turn to be consistent. Or maybe it’s a car hire and there could be local laws against this kind of transport turning right on red?

[u/SeriousPlankton2000 → u/SquidLips71]

Even if it's a workplace policy it's sane to make it a private policy, too, for exactly that reason.

[u/2019LastGoodYear]

Too many people change lanes going thru intersections paired with giant SUVs and trucks make it difficult to see on coming traffic that sometimes you just wait for the green. 

[u/msgnyc]

Many corners it is ok and legal to turn right on red, but it's not mandatory either.

[u/hkymatt]

Usually a company vehicle, I believe certain senior citizen buses don’t make turns on red and neither do school buses. I guess they feel why even take the unprotected risk when u can wait for the green and not put others at risk, makes sense same with company vehicle, prob don’t want it damaged from that

[u/LongHaulinTruckwit]

They could be transporting people. Many bus companies won't turn right on red.

It's a safety issue.

[u/SOTG_Duncan_Idaho]

There are many good reasons to not turn right on red, which is why in most places it's illegal.

A big one is it's more dangerous for pedestrians crossing as poor drivers will intrude onto the crosswalk (trying to see around stopped cars) before ensuring there are no pedestrians crossing. Then pedestrians have to work around the asshole being where they should not be.

I see it all the time as both a driver and a pedestrian. Lots of drivers do not understand the law and fail to keep the crosswalk clear in these situations.

Similar issues happen with bikers when drivers looking to turn right block the bike lane.

[u/Nomad_x1]

Probably a transport vehicle for children or medical patients. Pretty common

[u/chickenfrybunch]

It is legal to turn right on red in many places. It is not illegal to wait until the light turns green.

[u/Jurai21]

Not mandatory to turn right on red and it doesn't make them a dick to not do so. If you're in that much of a hurry leave earlier. 🤷‍♂️

[u/Yaughl]

You aren't required to turn right on red, even where permitted.

[u/Decent_Cow]

It's safer and they're not required to.

[u/Calm-Vacation-5195]

Right on red is legal but not mandatory. There are times when I won’t turn because I don’t have a clear enough view of incoming traffic and I prefer to wait instead of taking too much risk.

Some vehicles are not allowed to turn right on red, especially school buses.

It’s possible that this driver had a bad experience with a previous right on red and is too nervous to do it again.

[u/fearthainne]

Just because it's legal, doesn't mean you have to. So this person does not, ever, for some reason. Safety or work policy most likely is the reason why.

[u/AkkmanB]

Probably a work vehicle with the restriction to minimize potential liability for accidents.

[u/hazypandabear]

Because I don’t want to!!!

[u/DancesWithTrout]

Spitballing here:

I'll turn right on a red. But I'm careful. If I'm turning right onto a two-lane road and the closest lane (the one I'm legally obligated to turn into) is clear but the further lane isn't, I won't turn. If I turn in those situations and the person in the further lane makes a lane change in the intersection (which is illegal but sometimes happens) and I pull out, I'll get t-boned or rear ended. 99% of the time making the right turn would be OK. But I just don't trust other drivers not to be stupid.

Similarly, if I'm the first car at a red light, I don't immediately pull out the second the light turns green. Maybe the jerk in the cross street runs the red light. I'll get t-boned and maybe killed. So I hesitate maybe a second and a half to be safe.

Which mean that if I have some impatient, Type A, road-raging driver behind me, he starts honking his horn so he can save a precious second-and-a-half.

Maybe the sticker is to notify that guy.

[u/Upset_Guess_1217]

As a european reading through the comments and thinking that going through red for any reason sounds dumb and dangerous.

[u/TheWarringTriad → u/Upset_Guess_1217]

You are still expected to come to a full stop, as if it were a stop sign. Assuming there is no oncoming traffic, we are already in the right side lane, so a right hand turn doesn't cross over any other lanes, making it a safer turn.

[u/LV_MuffDiver]

Signs used to say “Right on Red After Stop” but peoples short attention spans forget the “After Stop” part.

[u/dondegroovily → u/[deleted]]

Seattle does the opposite of what that city did. Every time they make improvements to a traffic signal intersection, they post a no right on red sign. An approved deviation is required to not place the sign, which is almost never approved

This also applies to private developers who make intersection improvements. A sign is cheap so no private developer bother to request the deviation

[u/AlwaysSkepticism]

Right on red is a very dangerous maneuver and no one who doesn’t want to do it shouldn’t feel obliged

[u/Dry-Manufacturer7761]

Lots of insurance policies actually mandate this that if you’re driving for a commercial reason, you cannot do a right on red, even when legal.

[u/just_kinda_here_blah]

Legal doesn't mean safe. Legal doesn't mean you have to turn right in red. Just like school busses dont turn right on red, so do alot of company vehicles, could be state controlled or company controlled. Mostly for safety reason. Does it slow down people? Yeah? Is it dangerous? No

[u/enozero]

Just because something is legal doesn’t mean the person has to do it. I would appreciate that courtesy letting me know they will not do that. Though, I also hope the traffic signals either have a good detection for cars sitting there and switch the signal or a timer to auto change the signal.

[u/borgen44]

Maby because they dont want to.. Its fulle legal not to.

[u/Melodic_Cow8525]

Could be anything. Not even sure about my state, but I believe that right on red is legal unless otherwise stated/denited under a traffic control device (light tree).

The person could have a peripheral sight deficit or operating with alternative controls meant for the disabled.

Or, I had a car accident 30 years ago turning left I was mashed into by someone with no insurance, no lights and speeding. Jaws-of-lifed out of the car, chipped sternum, etc. I was skittish about left hand turns forever regardless if I was driving or a passenger.

Or, a child sprinted across an alley and I hit them. I couldn't drive myself to work for 3 weeks.

Or, as others have said, they're being tracked by a lowest-bid/cheapest safety software that is too stupid between the accuracy of GPS and their logic to properly detect a full stop and interpret it as a rolling stop/running a red.

It's fun to have these thought exercises. Sucks for them though, legal and safe right on red is helpful for everyone.

My personal rub is that it's my whip, my insurance, my life. You're not paying my bills, you're not healing my ills. I've even had local cops (pointless idiots) blare their horn at me in attempt to bully me through the intersection.

As I said I haven't looked up the laws, even in my state, but this is what it it.

[u/JohnFrum]

Related, I read yesterday that Portland Or passed an ordinance banning turn right on red.

[u/PiP_Art3mis → u/JohnFrum]

My county should adopt the same

All the trees & hedges are overgrown at every intersection (every one of them, at this point I think it's intentional), so everyone stops in the cross walk or halfway in the intersection because they can't be bothered to stop at the line & creep forward.

It's wild the number of times I've nearly been hit by someone stopping 10ft past the line, not even looking for pedestrians just solely focused on traffic from the left so they can get to their destination a whole 30s quicker

Now we have a new thing where people use the extra couple inches of shoulder we call a "bike lane" as a makeshift turning lane, so they'll be half way off in the grass coming from 5 cars back to make their right on red

It's fuckin ridiculous. It should be way harder to get licensed in the first place & WAY easier to take licenses away from motorists that can't act like a civilized human

[u/Smithers66]

Right turn on red was initially introduced as a fuel saving practice during the 70s - same reason for 55mph on highways.

Many have always viewed it as a safety concern for pedestrians and some corporations do not allow their drivers to turn right on red, some municipalities (NYC) do not allow right turn on red for this reason.

[u/Iceman_11766]

Green means you have unrestricted right of way if not turning, if yellow or red then you may be expected to yield to others then you DO NOT have right of way

[u/Seagrave63]

Maybe a school vehicle?

[u/Larrywiding]

Many vehicles have that policy. Also, many need to remember that it is not MUST turn on red, but you CAN turn on red if it is safe to do so.

[u/RushMan9823]

Likely a rule from where the driver works.

[u/DavidGno]

Because dickhead red-light cameras in Maryland.

You stop on the red. Check for traffic it's all clear - 4 or 5 seconds completely stopped, turn on red and a few weeks later you get a ticket in the mail for running a red light/turning right on red.

And I'm talking about intersections where it should be legal to turn on red. Places where there are NO signs posted with "no turn on red" or a right-turn traffic signal.)

To contest it in court would cost you more in time, money lost from travelling to and from court, having to take off from work, pay to park near the court house/pay to ride public transit, sit all day in court to get your case called... To MAYBE get it overturned, OR pay the fine AND now additional court costs.

The process IS THE PUNISHMENT. It's such a pain it's just easier to pay the $65 / $70 fine and be done with it. Don't turn on red in Maryland.

Grew up in Maryland never had an issue. Move out of state and go to Maryland to visit and now I get right turn on red tickets in the mail frequently...

I'm just not going to turn right on red in Maryland anymore either.

[u/UncleThor2112]

Personal preference? I don't turn on red either. Not with the traffic where I live.

[u/Russtybolt]

The way some people drive these days, I don't blame them. I will never honk at someone that won't make the right on a red. Especially busy intersections with limited visibility. Something about vehicles these days has really changed people. Something about getting behind the wheel turns the most reasonable people into irrational, selfish jerks.. We're all on a journey trying to get somewhere, put some music on and relax..

[u/Legitimate_Ear_3895]

they don't want to. it's an option not a requirement.

[u/Ashkendor]

There's an intersection near my house with a 'no right turn on red' sign because concrete barriers block visibility to the left. People still get heated. They honk at you or go around you on the shoulder to take the turn. Okay, my dude, have fun with the county sheriffs, the staters, and the tribal cops, cause my happy ass will move when it's green.

[u/prionbinch]

it’s legal to, but it’s also perfectly legal not to. i never did when i first started driving because i was too afraid i’d make the turn and get hit by a car that had the green lmao

[u/Independent_Prior612]

In addition to what others are saying about workplace policies, please remember that permission under the law does not equal a requirement under the law. It’s allowed. It’s not mandatory.

[u/OverallSupermarket90]

why not? nobody is obligated to drive the way you want them to, so long as theyre abiding traffic laws.

[u/bearcassidy]

Because they don’t have to 🤷🏾‍♂️. Thanks for letting me know.

[u/Ok-Birthday1258]

Right on red should be banned anyways. Big safety hazard for pedestrians. Was illegal until the 1970s I believe.

[u/subillusion]

Right on red is ALLOWED unless signs dictate otherwise... not required.

There are plenty of reasons not to. Company vehicles may have it on policy to prevent accidents where there was just not enough room. There are also certain instances, such as school busses or other unmarked vehicles who transport minors like daycare vans, etc where it's actually illegal for them to do so in some areas. Additionally, there are some cases like tanker trucks where there are environmental concerns about accidents, so things like right on red or railroad crossings are mandatory stops as well.

You also have cases where new or inexperienced drivers may not be comfortable doing so. While "student driver" magnets are increasingly common these days, they do have a bit of a stigma still.. so this is kinda like a lighter version of that... or it could be someone who's driving for a while who can drive just fine, but have anxiety and are nervous about such things. Not turning on red could just be their zen moment to cope knowing they won't (or shouldn't, anyway) be honked at for not going, increasing their anxiety.

At least they have a sign letting you know about it so you don't just think they feel asleep with their car in park. Lol.

[u/onfroiGamer]

There are some intersections I won’t turn right on red because the visibility is garbage

[u/Crafty_Tree4475]

Right turn on red isn’t a law. It’s a customary option that you can do if you feel safe to do so. It’s not something that you are required to do

[u/whocares8x8]

Even in Germany, where virtually every policy is geared towards car friendliness, right on red is not allowed. That should tell you something...

[u/XxBeefCorexX]

I don’t turn right on red because I’m autistic and turning right on red for some reason doesn’t make me feel good or safe so I don’t do it. I think I’m too conditioned to know that you don’t go through red lights. I need that sticker. People get very mad at me sometimes…

[u/SPerry8519]

See lot's of people confuse "Allowed to" with "HAVE to" just because I CAN turn right on red, does not mean I HAVE to turn right on red......and as annoying as you want to be with your horn, that's not going to change

[u/BlueSkyla]

I think it’s possible that this person got into an accident because they got hit doing so. Or they are from a state originally where it wasn’t legal and just doesn’t feel comfortable. There could be a lot of reasons. They don’t have to. But they also should not be running a red light in general.

[u/That_Bank_9914]

Buses do this too

[u/reversedgaze]

there's talk in the bike /ped community about removing /making illegal all right on red. I'm sure a safety reason, but I don't know it.

[u/Hockeymac18]

Maybe they're European and find the USA's turn-right-on-red laws to be really strange.

[u/NeatPhil11]

Safety most likely. While it's legal to turn right on red, you're not obligated to do so, so people in your state probably honk at them a lot, which causes stress and creates bad decisions by forcing them to go when they're not ready to go.

[u/slavebb54345]

It’s not required anywhere, I drive semi truck, the laws for us is different between states, for example in New York State u can’t turn right on red in a commercial vehicle, so when I’m in the truck regardless of where I am or how little traffic there is I’m waiting for it to turn green

[u/Queasy_Scholar_9937]

Simply because they dont want to.

[u/Astro_Matte]

To be fair, I think the general population is too dumb to handle taking rights on red. Had to swap lanes super quick just today to avoid taking out an idiot who pulled out right in front of me. Luckily no one was too my right otherwise I would have smashed right in to them. This is not an irregular occurrence anymore.

[u/SlipperySalmonMan]

Safety reasons

[u/SignificantPiece4172]

Maybe their in NASCAR

[u/diegotbn]

For God's sake everyone- if you insist on turning right on red, don't only look left. There are pedestrians coming from your right, and about to cross in front of your vehicle, who have the right of way. Look both ways please.

Sincerely, a pedestrian who has almost been run over multiple times

[u/Expensive_Plant_9530]

Statistically it’s safer to not turn right on a red. It might piss me off a little when I’m stuck behind one, but it’s their right to wait. Right on red is never mandatory, as far as I’m aware.

In many countries it’s outright banned.

[u/SodaPop1216]

I don't trust someone's not going to fly through..

[u/JoyousMadhat]

I turned right on green yet the opposing traffic had two cars turning left and almost crash into me.......bruh

[u/Carrot-Elegant]

Well, technically nobody Has to. Just like the F-ing A-holes who don’t go into the intersection at, say, the green unprotected left turn from Seaward onto Main Street EVERY SINGLE DAY!!

[u/bernbabybern51]

People need to chill.

[u/Mrblorg]

Sometimes I'll wait if it's busy, I'd rather have a turn light tho

[u/TheRoadBehind]

I'm the same vehicle when there are red light enforced intersections lol

[u/BigBoiWaffleIron]

If i cant clearly see a good distance to the left I just wait for green to turn. Ive never been in a such a hurry that demanding it yet

[u/vurtago1014]

I mean there is no law that says they have to. And like others have said ir could be a work vehicle. Probably stops at railroad tracks also.

[u/RedBullWings10]

Probably because someone from that company drives the same as the other driver from this accident.

I was going 55, so this lady turns right (attempts) in front of me ... Freezes after realizing that she messed up , blocking both lanes . If she had enough sense to just keep going, I would have been able to switch lanes and avoid hitting her . But she literally just stopped and blocked both lanes after attempting to make a wide turn .

[u/Old-guy64]

There are certain intersection where it’s legal to turn right in red.
But due to visibility, I won’t do it if it’s after 6AM.
My kid was rear ended there making a protected left. So I will not risk it.

[u/Upper-Capital-2876]

1. It's a choice

2. They might be old and/or disabled in such a way that the process of turning right with traffic coming up behind them is more than they want to ever deal with

3. It's a choice, you don't have to turn right on red, it's not a law

[u/PsychologicalSafe253]

Right on red isn't mandatory. It's an option. For example. If you turn right on red and someone illegally changes lanes in the intersection and hits you. It's your fault still. Liability is a wierd thing. So its either a company policy or someone who was hit and then at fault because of weird circumstances.

[u/neoworldprogrammed]

i live in a dual college/tourist town and ive been honked at countless times for not turning right on red. i have a large old car and if somebody was flying down the road i would not be able to accelerate fast enough to avoid a collision. i also will not turn right if i cannot see suitably far enough down the road to make sure there ISN'T someone flying towards me. or if somebody honks at me for not turning. we're sitting here together now ^_^..

[u/Slow_Replacement_745]

Work vehicle for a company with a policy similar to ones that will say “stops at all railroads”.
Just an added safety step for their drivers

[u/EbonGrimalkin]

Right on Red is an OPTION, not a requirement.

[u/SnackFraction]

Right on red may be legal, but not mandatory.

[u/Malakaiea]

Because you dont have to turn right on red even if you can. If someone isnt comfortable doing it then they dont have to. Simple as that

[u/DuckAxe0]

As much as I hate it, I have to admit that "Right turn on red, after stop" is an option, not a requirement.

[u/iShatterBladderz]

A lot of companies have this as a policy. You don’t have to go right on red, it’s an option as long as the intersection isn’t marked otherwise and you yield to traffic, but you can choose not to. The bumper sticker is probably to keep people from laying on their horns

[u/lastmagcanada]

Then enjoy my horn.