In Arizona, the Right Turn on Red rule allows drivers to turn right at a red light under specific conditions. This regulation is designed to facilitate traffic flow while ensuring pedestrian safety. Here’s a detailed overview of the current rules as of 2025:
Right Turn on Red Guidelines
- Complete Stop Required: Drivers must come to a complete stop at the red light before proceeding to turn right. This stop is crucial for assessing the intersection and ensuring safety.
- Yielding to Pedestrians and Traffic: Before making the turn, drivers must yield to any pedestrians crossing the street and any oncoming traffic that has the right of way. This is essential for preventing accidents and ensuring pedestrian safety.
- Turning into the Closest Lane: When turning right, drivers should aim to enter the closest lane that is safe and practicable. This helps maintain orderly traffic flow and reduces confusion at intersections.
- No Prohibitive Signs: The right turn on red is permissible only if there are no signs indicating “No Turn on Red.” Drivers should always be vigilant for such signage, as it indicates that turning right at that intersection is not allowed while the light is red.
- Assessing Hazards: It is important for drivers to check for any potential hazards, such as road obstructions or vehicles approaching from other directions, before making the turn.
Left Turn on Red
While less common, Arizona also permits left turns on red under certain conditions:
- From One-Way Streets: Drivers may turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street after stopping and ensuring it is safe.
- From Two-Way to One-Way: A left turn from a two-way street onto a one-way street is allowed if there are no prohibitive signs, following the same stopping and yielding rules.
Recent Updates
As of January 1, 2025, Arizona has clarified these traffic regulations to enhance pedestrian safety and streamline traffic flow. This includes reinforcing the requirement for drivers to yield properly before making turns at red lights.Understanding these rules is vital for all drivers in Arizona to avoid fines and ensure safe driving practices at intersections.
[1] https://azdot.gov/mvd/high-occupancy-vehicle-hov
[2] https://arizdui.com/arizona-dui-defense/penalties-for-running-red-lights-and-stop-signs-in-arizona/
[3] https://looselawgroup.com/arizona-welcomes-new-laws-in-2025/
[4] https://legacydrivingacademy.com/turning-on-a-red-light-in-arizona/
