Can You Turn Right on Red in Maryland?
You can turn right on red in Maryland as long as you yield the right-of-way and there is no sign prohibiting the movement.
Written by Shannon Fitzgerald
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
It’s completely legal in
Maryland
to make a right turn on red as long as there is no sign prohibiting the turn and the driver follows the right-of-way rules. It’s common knowledge for drivers that a red light means to stop. But it’s also true that a red light means you can turn right in most cases.
Legislation for when it’s legal to turn right on red varies from state to state, however, and if you’re caught making an illegal right turn, you could face a ticket and a fine.
That’s why we compiled everything you’ll need to know about the rules of turning right in Maryland. So if you’ve ever been stuck at an intersection in the Free State wondering if you can sneak that right turn in—you’re in the right place!
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Can you turn right on red in Maryland?
Yes—as long as there is no sign, signal, or post indicating otherwise.
According to
section 21-202
of Maryland’s transportation code, it’s legal to enter an intersection via right turn at traffic lights with a steady, red indication as long as: - You have made a complete stop at the marked line or before the intersection or any crosswalk
- You have yielded the right-of-way to vehicles in the intersection
- You have yielded the right-of-way to pedestrians or bicycles in the intersection
- There is no sign or post prohibiting a turn on red
- There is no steady, red arrow indicating the movement is prohibited
If there is a flashing red signal, section 21-204 indicates that a driver turning right may proceed as if the signal is a stop sign.
What about left turns on red?
Like many states, Maryland also allows drivers to make a left turn on red as long as they are coming from a one-way street and turning onto a one-way street. Like turning right on red, you will also need to make a complete stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians before doing so.
Key Takeaway It’s legal to turn right on red in Maryland as long as no sign, post, or signal prohibits the movement. You may also turn left on red from a one-way street to another one-way street.
Penalties for an illegal right turn on red in Maryland
Fortunately, it’s fairly straightforward when it’s permitted for drivers to turn right on red in Maryland—just make sure there’s no signage indicating otherwise and you’re good to proceed with caution.
But if you accidentally do make a right turn on red when it isn’t permitted, you could face a $140 fine and two demerit points on your
driving record
for failure to stop at a red light. Often, illegal right turns break other traffic laws too, leading to greater fines and penalties. If your violation led to an accident, for example, your fine increases to $180. Other punishable offenses may include:
- Speeding while making your illegal turn
- Texting while driving—and therefore failing to notice the turn was prohibited
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles, bikes, or pedestrians
Once you accrue eight or more points within two years in Maryland, your
license will be suspended
. Twelve or more points will lead to your license being revoked. Therefore, if you’re ever unsure or unable to adequately check for signage saying otherwise, your safest bet is to wait for the light to turn green before committing to a right turn. Since insurance premiums skyrocket with even one traffic violation, the extra caution may be worth the impatience of your fellow drivers.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
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