In Pennsylvania, right turns on red lights remain legal in 2025 unless prohibited by signage, but recent updates to traffic laws clarify rules for malfunctioning traffic signals and reinforce safety protocols. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the current regulations and changes:
Right Turn on Red: Core Rules
- General permission: Drivers may turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming traffic, unless a “No Turn on Red” sign is posted.
- Left turns on red: Permitted from a one-way street onto another one-way street if no prohibitory sign exists.
2025 Updates: House Bill 590 (Ride on Red Law)
Pennsylvania’s updated law allows drivers to treat a malfunctioning or unresponsive traffic signal as a stop sign under specific conditions:
| Scenario | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Unresponsive red light | Stop completely, wait a reasonable time, and proceed only if the light remains stuck. |
| Motorcycles/small vehicles | Applies when sensors fail to detect the vehicle (common for motorcycles/bicycles). |
| Safety mandate | Drivers must exercise “due care” and yield to all traffic/pedestrians before proceeding. |
This update formalizes guidelines for intersections with faulty signals, particularly in rural or low-traffic areas.
Key Safety and Liability Considerations
- Stop requirement: Failing to stop fully before turning right on red (or proceeding through a malfunctioning light) can lead to reckless driving charges or liability in accidents.
- Pedestrian priority: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks during right turns.
- Fault determination: If a right-turn collision occurs, the turning driver is often deemed at fault unless the other party violated traffic rules (e.g., speeding).
Common Misconceptions
- “Right Turn Signal” signs: These indicate which signal applies to the turn lane but do not prohibit right turns on red unless paired with a “No Turn on Red” sign.
- Malfunctioning lights: Drivers cannot arbitrarily treat red lights as stop signs; the signal must be unresponsive, and due caution is required.
Pennsylvania’s 2025 traffic rules maintain the legality of right turns on red while introducing clearer protocols for malfunctioning signals. Drivers must prioritize safety by stopping fully, yielding to pedestrians, and exercising caution at unresponsive lights. The updated Ride on Red law provides a practical solution for sensor-related issues but does not override existing right-of-way or signage rules.
Sources:
- https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-75-pacsa-vehicles/pa-csa-sect-75-3112/
- https://www.roadreview.com/right-turn-signal/
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/pennsylvania-drivers-manual/online-drivers-manual/everyday-driving-skills/turning-merging-and-passing.html
- https://munley.com/new-red-light-law-takes-effect-pennsylvania/
