The Who, What, When and Where of Turning Right on Red

Everyone’s in a hurry these days. At least, it can feel that way, especially when speeding and road rage are at an all-time high.

The rules of the road can become blurred amid all the rushing. Take turning right on red, for instance. It’s often permitted, but never required, yet many folks have been honked at for waiting for a light to switch to green before turning right.

What, exactly, are the rules around right turns on red? Is everyone allowed to do it, even large trucks? Is it necessary?

Why Right Turns on Red Are Risky and How to Stay Safe

Right turn on red (RTOR) became widespread in the United States in the ‘70s. The goal was to save fuel by eliminating idle time at stoplights. Though the law established that cars could turn right on red, it did not say they had to.

However, today, more than 40 years later, RTOR has become the norm. Drivers expect each other to use RTOR and can become impatient when they don’t.

This points to a nationwide trend of dangerous driving, as identified in a 2022 survey:

• 64% of drivers admitted to having road rage while driving
• 51% admitted to speeding
• 27% admitted to rolling through stop signs

American drivers are less patient now than in previous decades. In fact, some people who do not consider themselves aggressive drivers do experience road rage. Speeding, tailgating, and even honking one’s horn can be considered aggressive driving behaviors.

Indiana law dictates that motor vehicle drivers may use their horns only when necessary to ensure safety. So why, then, are folks who stop at red lights honked at for not turning right when they are not required to?

Drivers who exhibit caution when turning right at a red light are doing the right thing because, though it’s legal, it isn’t always safe. In fact, RTOR has been identified as a major threat to pedestrians.

Important Dos and Don’ts for Turning Right at Red Lights

The freedom to turn right at a red light is helpful in many respects. It helps keep traffic moving and reduces waiting times at stoplights.

It is important to use caution. After all, a red light means someone else has a green one, and oncoming traffic has the right-of-way. The RTOR allowance requires drivers to come to a complete stop, yield to moving traffic, and check for pedestrians or cyclists before proceeding. When RTOR goes wrong, it is often because drivers focus entirely on looking for other cars and forget to check for people walking across the street or on the sidewalk.

Turning right on red is legal across the United States, but each state can restrict it as needed. Before assuming you can go through a red light, check the stoplight post for a sign prohibiting it.

Rules for Semi-Trucks Making Right Turns on Red Lights

Semi-trucks are usually governed by the same traffic laws as passenger vehicles. This includes the right-on-red standard. However, commercial vehicles require a greater degree of caution.

Commercial vehicles have large blind spots, also known as “no zones.” On the right side of the tractor-trailer, the blind spot extends from the front of the truck the rear of the trailer and across two lanes of traffic.

This makes turning right — especially turning right at a red light — dangerous. Truck drivers may be oblivious to pedestrians, cyclists or smaller vehicles to the right of their rig.

Like passenger cars, commercial vehicles must come to a complete stop at a red light and check for pedestrians and oncoming traffic before turning.

One problem with semi tractor-trailers is that they take longer to make a right-hand turn and to clear intersections. Sometimes, the truck driver will pull into the intersection knowing they don’t have time but assuming that, because of their size, they can ignore safety and turn when they shouldn’t.

Why do Semis Make Wide Right Turns?

You’ve probably noticed signs on the back of tractor-trailers before, reading: “Caution: This vehicle makes wide right turns.” It is important to keep this in mind. Because of their size, large trucks must swing out to the left during right turns. This gives the trailer space to stay aligned behind the truck without striking other cars or leaving the roadway.

As a passenger vehicle driver, you can do your part by keeping away from a truck’s right side when it has its turn signal on. When possible, pass large trucks on the left.

It is also important to remember that these big rigs take more time to accelerate, so the turn may be slow. Despite this, avoid speeding up to pass a turning truck.

The Impact of Right Turns on Red on Pedestrian Safety

In recent years, many U.S. cities have made changes to RTOR rules. Crash data indicates that RTOR significantly increases pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Some cities have banned these turns in their downtown areas.

“A city-commissioned survey in Indianapolis, where pedestrian fatalities hit a record in 2022, found that, over a five-year period, about 57% of car crashes involving pedestrians happened because drivers failed to yield to people in all intersections,” an article– on RTOR reported.

Indianapolis is one city taking action to protect pedestrians. Despite state lawmakers’ opposition, in June 2023, the city approved a law to put up no-turn-on-red signs. According to an Indy Star article, the intersections affected by the right-on-red bans include local streets bounded by:

• 11^th Street
• Oscar Robertson Boulevard
• 10^th Street
• White River Parkway West Drive
• Interstate 70
• Interstate 65

The article says this includes Mile Square, Mass Ave downtown and St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood.

Injured by a Truck Making a Right Turn

Though all states allow RTOR, many cities restrict it. Paying attention can help you stay safe in intersections. However, large trucks may fail to obey traffic signals or fail to notice nearby pedestrians.

If you are seriously injured in an accident caused by a commercial vehicle, you will need to consult a qualified injury attorney. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, our attorneys have experience representing truck-wreck victims.

Contact the Experts at Craig, Kelley & Faultless

For a free case consultation, reach out to a wrongful death or injury lawyer today. Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless at (800) 746-0226 or with our online form.

David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.