Op-Ed: Prohibit Right Turns on Red Lights

A writer suggests an end for one of the many conveniences available to drivers: the right turn on a red light.

1 minute read

March 23, 2016, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Bicycle traffic light in Berlin

Copenhagenize Design Co. / Copenhagenize

According to Josh Cohen, "if cities truly cared about pedestrians, they would outright ban [right turns on red]." Cohen writes from experience in Seattle, where the Seattle Department of Transportation banned right turns on red (RTOR) at ten downtown intersections last fall as part of its Vision Zero plan.

To back up his argument against RTOR, Cohen cites the safety concerns for all pedestrians as well as access concerns for people with extra mobility needs. Cohen notes, however, that there is a lack of reliable to data to back up his argument. 

Monday, March 14, 2016 in Next City

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

November 11, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking in downtown St. Louis, walking past shops.

Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment

The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.

November 1, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

Construction in Dallas. An aerial shot of a wooden frame of an apartment building.

Dallas releases zoning code overhaul to officials

The drafted overhaul is over 400 pages long.

November 11 - Dallas Morning News

Canal street, where pedestrians are packed shoulder to shoulder.

NYC renovations for dangerous, ‘mercilessly crammed’ street delayed until 2027

Construction was supposed to begin this fall.

November 11 - Gothamist

A rendering of Midway Rising that shows people mingling in a green space between apartment buildings.

San Diego’s Midway Rising project gets greenlight from city council

The project looks to become the largest affordable housing development in California's history.

November 11 - KPBS

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.