You’ve done it too and you’ve also believed you can do it everywhere. Hush! We’re talking about turning left at a red light, and in the United States it’s something we all do and almost as an automatic reflex. You pause, check that no one is coming and… nobody saw anything here.
But what many don’t know is that you can also turn left even when the light is red… but not always, don’t get too excited, because it’s only under very specific circumstances and depending on the state you’re in.
Don’t think you’re committing something illegal, because it’s common in most of the country, so you’re not in Fast and Furious for making this maneuver.
A 70-year-old trick
Yes, it’s not something new even if someone thinks they’ve discovered the wheel. Our elders were already doing this in the 70s during the oil crisis. It was a way to avoid cars sitting idle for a long time and also to save a bit of gas. Over time, the same logic was applied to left turns.
Where is it legal to turn left on red?
In most states, yes you can. Specifically, in 42 U.S. states and in Puerto Rico, drivers can turn left on red as long as they are leaving a one-way street and entering another one-way street. And just like with right turns, you must make a complete stop and make sure no one is coming.
But there are exceptions. In these places, it’s completely prohibited, no matter the type of street: Connecticut, Maine, Missouri (except Kansas City), New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island and South Dakota.
In addition, Washington D.C., Guam and New York City also don’t allow this maneuver, although in the rest of New York state you can do it.
States with more leeway
States like Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Oregon and Washington even allow turning left on red from a two-way street onto a one-way street! But as always, even if it’s an option, you must stop the vehicle completely and check that it’s safe to do it, we don’t want accidents please!
Watch out for the signs!
Even if there are states and laws that allow turning left on red, some intersections include specific signage that forbids it, so pay close attention because ignoring these signs can mean costly fines, in addition to accident risks.
A little-known gesture among drivers
Unlike turning right on red, which is much more normalized, turning left on red is not as well known, which is why those who do it usually get honked at, disapproving gestures or incredulous looks from other drivers. Ignore it! If the maneuver is done where the law allows it, the driver is acting correctly!
Many times we believe we’re committing an infraction but the reality is the law allows it, at least in this case. Saving time and fuel is something we love, and by doing this small gesture we can save (even if very little). But make sure the state you’re in allows it and respect all the signs in front of you, we don’t want scares and we don’t want fines!