Can You Turn Right on Red in New Hampshire?

If there is no sign that says otherwise and you yield the right-of-way pedestrians, you can turn right at a red light in New Hampshire.
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
background
After a complete stop, you can legally turn right at a red light in New Hampshire unless there is a sign at the intersection that explicitly states otherwise. Make sure you yield to pedestrians as well!
There’s more context associated with turning at a red light than one would inherently think, especially when determining right-of-way. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the law inside and out.
To break it all down, the
car insurance
experts at
Jerry
have curated a handy-dandy guide to turning at a red light in New Hampshire. Our goal is to help you practice safe driving habits and avoid traffic violations. Plus, we'll share some tips on how to save on your
New Hampshire insurance costs
. Let’s dive in!

Can you turn right on red in New Hampshire?

The short answer is yes, but only if your right turn can meet all the necessary conditions of
Section 265:10 III
. To save you from the legal jargon, here are New Hampshire’s rules for turning right at a red light in laypeople's terms:
  • Always make a complete stop, then confirm that traffic is clear before proceeding
  • Do not turn right if a sign posted at the intersection indicates the maneuver is prohibited
  • Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
In other words, you only need to wait for a green light if the intersection’s signage explicitly tells you not to turn right on red. Of course, always keep an eye out for crossing pedestrians—even if they don’t have the right-of-way.
The flashing red light is often used when there is minimal traffic. This traffic signal is to be treated like a stop sign for all your right turns.
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What about left turns on red?

In New Hampshire, making left turns at a red light is entirely illegal. States across the nation allow left turns at red lights onto one-way streets, but not New Hampshire. You’ll have to wait for a green to get on your way.
Key Takeaway If there is no sign that says otherwise and you yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, you can turn right at a red light.

Penalties for an illegal right turn on red in New Hampshire

A law enforcement officer won’t hesitate to give you a traffic ticket for even negligibly violating a right turn law. You could get a ticket for ignoring a sign prohibiting right turns, not making a complete stop, or not appropriately yielding to traffic or pedestrians.
Regardless of your situational context, this ticket will cost you $62 and three demerit points against your driving record. In addition, repeat offenders will have their fine bumped up to $124. 
If a financial disincentive isn’t enough, six points against your driving record in one calendar year can lead to a three-month license suspension. Ouch!
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How to find affordable car insurance in New Hampshire

Traffic tickets will usually result in downstream adverse effects on your car insurance rate. Violating traffic laws shows a lack of commitment to safety—at least in the eyes of your provider.
The
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