Mulling the Idea of Ending Right Turns on Red Lights

San Francisco might follow the lead on New York City when it comes to right turns on red lights.

1 minute read

May 27, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Red Light

Helen89 / Shutterstock

"Turning right on red in San Francisco may soon be a thing of the past in the name of safety," reports Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez.

"Transportation officials this week discussed exploring eliminating rights on red, citing The City’s 14th traffic fatality this year as a call to action," according to Fitzgerald.

The city has been acting quickly, of late, to correct traffic safety conditions when a fatality occurs. In March, the death of Teth Rothstein while riding a bike on the Howard Street bike lane led to the city removing parking on the street.

At a recent meeting of the Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors, Board Director Amanda Eaken cited Vision Zero as the reason for banning right turns on red lights.

"Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians is one of the leading causes of pedestrian fatalities," according to Rodriguez. "and is part of the reason for the San Francisco Police deparment’s [sic] focus on ticketing scofflaws."

Friday, May 24, 2019 in San Francisco Examiner

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

6 seconds ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

1 hour ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

4 hours ago - UNM News