Washington State is updating its traffic laws, particularly concerning right turns on red, with changes expected to take full effect by January 1, 2025. These adjustments involve increased signage, dedicated turn lanes, and technological integration aimed at improving safety, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
Key Changes
- Increased Signage: More intersections, particularly in urban areas with high pedestrian and cyclist traffic, will feature “No Turn on Red” signs.
- Protected Turn Lanes: Newly designed intersections may include right-turn lanes equipped with separate signals specifically for turning traffic.
- Technology Integration: Some traffic lights will utilize sensors to detect cyclists and pedestrians, preventing right turns even without posted signs when vulnerable road users are present.
- Default Setting in Seattle: Not allowing drivers to make a free right turn at a red light will be the default setting for any new or modified traffic signal.
Reasoning Behind the Changes
These modifications follow studies by the Washington State Department of Transportation indicating a rise in traffic incidents related to right turns on red. Safety advocates contend that drivers often prioritize oncoming traffic, potentially overlooking pedestrians or cyclists, leading to severe accidents. Washington State traffic data suggests a correlation between increased accidents involving right turns on red and higher population densities.
Best Practices for Drivers
Despite these changes, where right turns on red are permitted, drivers should adhere to the following practices:
- Come to a complete stop behind the line or crosswalk.
- Yield to pedestrians and cyclists.
- Maintain attentiveness while turning.
- Obey all posted signs.
Broader Safety Enhancements
Starting January 1, 2025, Washington will enforce a new law to bolster safety for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. This law seeks to decrease injuries and fatalities resulting from crashes involving these groups by increasing penalties for negligent drivers. A “negligent driver” is defined as someone who fails to exercise ordinary care while driving, thereby endangering others.Penalties for causing the death of a vulnerable road user include a $5,000 fine, up to 364 days in jail, and a 90-day suspension of driving privileges.
Those who seriously injure a vulnerable road user may face a $5,000 fine, a 90-day suspension of driving privileges, mandatory traffic school, and up to 100 hours of community service. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) is launching an educational campaign to inform both drivers and vulnerable road users about the new law and promote safe road-sharing practices.
Historical Context
The right turn on red rule was first introduced in the United States in 1939 in California and later legalized federally in the 1970s as an energy-saving measure.
Source:
- https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/01/right-turns-at-red-lights-could-soon-be-banned-for/
- https://www.theurbanist.org/2023/05/04/no-right-turn-on-red-is-now-the-default-in-seattle/
- https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/right-turns-on-red-now-banned-at-all-dc-intersections-but-enforcement-varies/3803868/
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=468-95-250
