Georgia New Rule on Right Turns at Red Lights: Everything Drivers Need to Know
“Atlanta has banned right turns on red in Downtown, Midtown, and Castleberry Hill to improve pedestrian safety. The ban, effective December 31, 2025, after signage is installed, aims to reduce crashes and fatalities linked to right turns on red. Drivers should be vigilant for new signage and yield to pedestrians.
Georgia, and specifically Atlanta, has introduced significant changes to the rules regarding right turns at red lights. These new regulations are designed to improve pedestrian safety in some of the city’s busiest and most walkable neighborhoods. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what drivers need to know about the new rule, how it will be enforced, and its broader implications.
What Is the New Rule?
In February 2024, the Atlanta City Council passed an ordinance banning right turns on red lights in three central neighborhoods: Downtown, Midtown, and Castleberry Hill. This measure was approved with a 10-3 vote and is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.
Why Was the Rule Introduced?
The primary motivation behind the ban is pedestrian safety. Research and local crash data have shown that right turns on red significantly increase the risk for pedestrians, cyclists, and people using wheelchairs. When drivers turn right on red, their attention is typically focused on oncoming traffic from the left, making them less likely to notice pedestrians crossing from the right or waiting in bike lanes.
In Atlanta, 65 fatalities and serious injuries were linked to right turns at signalized intersections over the past nine years, with over 40% of those incidents occurring during right turns on red.
Advocates, including those supporting the Vision Zero initiative, have long called for such measures to address dangerous intersections and ultimately bring traffic deaths down to zero through safer street design and speed management.
Where Does the Ban Apply?
The ban is not citywide. It specifically targets intersections in Downtown, Midtown, and Castleberry Hill-areas identified as having high pedestrian activity and increased crash risk. The ordinance does not apply to neighborhoods such as the Old Fourth Ward or areas west of Northside Drive, Georgia Tech, or Atlantic Station.
When Does the Ban Take Effect?
The Atlanta Department of Transportation is tasked with installing “No Turn on Red” signage at approximately 250 intersections in the affected neighborhoods. The law will be fully enforceable by December 31, 2025, once all signage is in place. Until then, right turns on red remain legal at intersections unless otherwise posted, provided drivers yield to both pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
How Will the Rule Be Enforced?
After the signage is installed and the ordinance is in effect, law enforcement will be able to issue citations to drivers who violate the ban. The fine for making an illegal right turn on red is set at $70. Enforcement depends on the presence of proper signage; if an intersection does not have a “No Turn on Red” sign, drivers may still turn right at a red light, provided it is safe and legal to do so.
What Should Drivers Do?
- Be Alert for Signage: As the signs will be installed on a rolling basis, always look for “No Turn on Red” signs at intersections in Downtown, Midtown, and Castleberry Hill.
- Yield to Pedestrians: Even where right turns on red are still allowed, you must always yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
- Stay Informed: The rules may expand or change in the future, so keep up with local traffic updates and city ordinances.
Broader Context and Implications
Atlanta’s move follows a national trend, with several U.S. cities reconsidering right-on-red policies originally implemented during the 1970s energy crisis. Modern transportation planners and policymakers now recognize the safety risks, particularly for vulnerable road users, and are working to reverse these decades-old rules. The Federal Highway Administration also recommends banning right turns on red to improve pedestrian safety, especially when paired with other safety measures like leading pedestrian intervals.
Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Affected Areas | Downtown, Midtown, Castleberry Hill (Atlanta) |
| Start Date | By December 31, 2025 (after signage is installed) |
| Enforcement | $70 fine for violations, enforced only where “No Turn on Red” signs are posted |
| Reason for Ban | Pedestrian and cyclist safety, reduction in crashes and fatalities |
| Scope | Not citywide; does not include several neighborhoods (e.g., Old Fourth Ward, Georgia Tech) |
| Legal Status Elsewhere | Right turns on red remain legal unless otherwise posted |
Atlanta’s new rule marks a significant shift in traffic policy, prioritizing pedestrian safety in its busiest neighborhoods. Drivers should remain vigilant for new signage and be prepared for stricter enforcement as the city moves toward full implementation by the end of 2025.
Sources:
- https://usa.streetsblog.org/2024/10/22/how-atlanta-passed-its-right-on-red-ban
- https://www.mg4law.com/can-you-turn-right-on-red-in-atlanta/
- https://www.gpb.org/news/2024/02/20/atlanta-city-council-approves-measure-limiting-right-turn-on-red-lights
- https://www.planetizen.com/news/2024/10/132219-banning-right-turns-red-lessons-atlanta
- https://theatlanta100.com/public-affairs/2024/03/07/atlanta-passes-no-right-turn-on-red-legislation-for-2026/26650
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