As of January 1st, 2025, Washington D.C. has made it illegal to ban turning right on red, a change that will affect every driver, commuter, and pedestrian traveling through the city. If you’re used to rolling through intersections after a stop, this new law is a major shift that demands extra caution at every red light.
Safer Streets Amendment Act of 2022
Washington D.C.’s ban on right turns at red lights comes from the Safer Streets Amendment Act of 2022, which aims to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers.
(c) Beginning January 1, 2025, a motor vehicle operator shall not make a turn when facing a steady red traffic control signal unless DDOT has installed signage, pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, permitting a turn when facing a steady red traffic control signal at that intersection.
“(d)(1) DDOT may install signage at any intersection allowing motor vehicle operators to make a turn when facing a steady red traffic control signal only if DDOT:
“(A) Determines that allowing a motor vehicle operator to make a turn when facing a steady red traffic control signal at the intersection would improve safety at that intersection; and
“(B) Updates the information required by subsection (f) of this section.
The law represents a shift toward stricter rules for intersections in an effort to reduce serious accidents in busy city traffic.
Limited Enforcement and Special Signage
Despite the new law, right turns on red will still be allowed at certain intersections. The D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) is in charge of reviewing each spot and placing signs where turning right on red will remain legal. Right now, about half of D.C.’s 1,600 intersections are actively targeted for enforcement, and drivers should expect to see updated signs at these spots.
Why Full Enforcement Is Delayed – Budget Constraints on Citywide Enforcement
D.C. hasn’t set aside the $385,000 required to install entry-point signs alerting drivers about the no right-on-red policy. Without those citywide warning signs, DDOT leaders say they legally can’t enforce a full ban at every intersection in the city.
Penalties for Violations Where Signage Exists
If you make a right turn on red at an intersection where the proper “no turn on red” sign is clearly posted, you could get hit with a $100 fine. That means drivers need to pay close attention to signal lights as well as the posted signage at each intersection they travel through.
How This Change Affects Liability in an Accident
Not following D.C.’s new right-on-red rules after the ban doesn’t just mean risking a ticket – it can have serious consequences if a driver is involved in an car accident in Washington DC.
If a driver turns right on red at an intersection where signs clearly prohibit it, they’re breaking the law. In a personal injury case, this kind of clear violation can be strong evidence of negligence, making it easier for an injured person (like a pedestrian or another driver) to prove the turning driver was at fault.
Insurers, judges, and juries often see traffic law violations as automatic signs that a driver failed to use reasonable care behind the wheel.
If you were injured in a car accident because you or another driver turned right on red in a location where it was banned, it’s important to get legal help as soon as possible. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Washington DC today to schedule a free consultation.