Can You Turn Right on Red in Pennsylvania?

Right turns on red are legal in Pennsylvania unless there’s a sign posted at the intersection prohibiting the turn.
Written by John Pickhaver
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Turning right on red in most cases is perfectly legal in
Pennsylvania
, however, the right of way belongs to pedestrians and other motorists. Additionally, local municipalities are permitted to outlaw turning right on red at certain intersections, which is why you should always look to see if there is a sign prior to turning. 
A solid or steady red traffic light almost always means stop. However, throughout most of the country, you are permitted to make right turns on red. 
The operable word here is “most” because turning right on red isn’t necessarily permitted at all intersections. Therefore, it is essential to be
aware of the laws
in your city and neighborhood in order to prevent an expensive ticket. 
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Can you turn right on red in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can turn right on red in Pennsylvania, as long as there is not a sign at the intersection specifying that it is not allowed. 
According to
Title 75, Section 3112
of the Statutes of Pennsylvania, you are permitted to make a right turn on a steady red light (including a steady red arrow) when: 
  • You come to a complete stop prior to turning
  • There is no posted sign prohibiting a right turn on red
  • You give the right of way to pedestrians and other traffic near the intersection
  • You have a clear view of opposing traffic
Basically, the most ideal way to know if you can legally turn right on red is to check if there is a sign. If there is no sign and there is no traffic in the intersection, you are legally able to turn.
If you arrive at a flashing red light, Pennsylvania law states that you must stop like you would at a stop sign. Turning right on a flashing red light is legal provided that you follow traffic laws and give the right of way. 

What about left turns on red?

Pennsylvania allows you to turn left on red from—and only from—a one-way street onto another one-way street. Be sure to always check for approaching traffic and give the right of way to pedestrians and other motorists. 
Key Takeaway Turning right on red is legal provided that there’s no sign posted at the intersection saying you can’t. Just remember that you still need to come to a complete stop before turning.  
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Penalties for an illegal right turn on red in Pennsylvania

Although it’s legal to turn right on red in Pennsylvania most of the time, it’s possible to get ticketed if you’re caught performing an illegal right on red at an intersection that bans it. 
When you make a right turn on red illegally, you can face varying penalties depending on the precise situation, but at a minimum, you should be prepared to pay a $50 fine and have three points added to your
Pennsylvania driving record
. The fine will increase if you were guilty of any of the following as well:
  • You neglected to pay a prior ticket
  • The turn resulted in an injury to another driver or pedestrian
  • You failed to yield to pedestrians or other motorists
  • You were speeding
  • You did not come to a complete stop at the light
If you are unsure whether or not you can turn right on red, your best bet is just to sit tight and wait for the green light in order to avoid potential violations. This is especially true if your driving record already has points on it.
What’s worse is that the penalties of illegally turning right on red don’t end with the ticket cost—
you will likely see your insurance premium rise
after the points are added to your driving record. Insurance companies look to see if you drive safely, and violations like illegal turns on red are certainly not the data points you want to give providers. 
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