Is it legal to turn right on a red light? What Arizona law says

Some Arizonans may be unsure when they can turn on red, causing unnecessary traffic and confusion for everyone on the road.

Some say that turning right during a red light is illegal, which, for the most part, is not true. Sometimes laws aren't as straightforward as they seem, leading to misunderstandings and the further spreading of misinformation.

Staying informed about Arizona's traffic laws makes driving safer and smoother for everyone involved, and makes your time on the road a lot less stressful.

Here's a review of Arizona law regarding when it's legal to turn during a red light to clear up any confusion.

What is Arizona's law about turning right on red?

According to Arizona law, turning right during a red light is legal but only under specific circumstances.

Arizona revised statutes 28-645 states, "The driver of a vehicle that is stopped in obedience to a red signal and as close as practicable at the entrance to the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no crosswalk, then at the entrance to the intersection, may make a right turn but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal. A right turn may be prohibited against a red signal at any intersection if a sign prohibiting the turn is erected at the intersection."

Essentially, unless a street sign specifically states that right turns during red lights are not permitted, Arizona drivers can turn during a red light after coming to a complete stop and yielding to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalks.

Can you turn left at a red light in Arizona?

It is illegal to turn left at a red light in Arizona under all circumstances except for one.

The law states, "The driver of a vehicle on a one-way street that intersects another one-way street on which traffic moves to the left shall stop in obedience to a red signal but may then make a left turn into the one-way street.  The driver shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that such left turn may be prohibited if a sign prohibiting the turn is erected at the intersection."

Put plainly, drivers can turn left on red only if they are on a one-way street and are turning left onto another one-way street. A driver may then turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and all pedestrians.