Can you turn right at a red light? What about left? What Georgia law says
Making a right at a red light is a common move by motorists. But can you turn left?
Introduced in the 1970s as a fuel-saving effort, laws allowing right turns on red are standard in most states but come with some safety risks, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
“While the law requires motorists to come to a full stop and yield to cross street traffic and pedestrians prior to turning right on red, many motorists do not fully comply with the regulations,” the administration said.
Several major cities, including Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, have looked into right-on-red bans to make its streets safer, CBS News reported in November 2023.
But what about in the Peach State?
Here’s what Georgia law says about turning right — and left — at a red light:
Can you turn right at a red light in Georgia?
Georgia law allows right- and left-hand turns on red, though there are exceptions.
When facing a steady red light, drivers can turn right after coming to a complete stop and yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic, according to state Code 40-6-21. Stopping for pedestrians is also a must before turning.
However, the practice is illegal at any intersection where there’s a sign saying it’s prohibited, the law states. Drivers also can’t turn right on a red arrow.
A proposed ordinance may ban the move outright in parts of Atlanta.
“In the year 2024 … we are at a 40-year high when it comes to pedestrian fatalities and injuries when it comes to collisions with cars,” Atlanta City Councilman Jason Dozier told Rough Draft Atlanta.
Dozier is one of three city council members backing legislation that would outlaw turning right at a red light in the city’s Downtown, Midtown and Castleberry Hill communities, the outlet reported.
Dozier cited an uptick in pedestrians being struck by cars.
These areas “have the highest density of pedestrian activity in the city … and we want to make sure that pedestrians, whether they work or live or play — if they are in town for a Atlanta United match or with the World Cup coming — that they will feel safe and secure,” he told Rough Draft Atlanta.
Turning left on red is still possible, though.
What does Georgia law say about turning left on red?
Under Georgia law, drivers can turn left from the left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street if traffic is moving in the same direction.
Motorists “shall stop and remain stopped for pedestrians and yield the right of way to other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at such intersection,” Georgia Code 40-6-21 says.
The maneuver isn’t allowed at intersections with a sign prohibiting left-hand turns, however.
This story was originally published January 30, 2024 at 9:52 AM with the headline "Can you turn right at a red light? What about left? What Georgia law says."