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When can you turn right on a red light in New Jersey?

A white car stopped at a red light in a right-turn lane with a painted turn arrow while a pedestrian walks across the crosswalk ahead.

You are stopped at a red light in a right-turn lane in New Jersey and no sign prohibits turning. What must you do before turning right?

Answer choices

The answer

New Jersey allows a right turn at a red light, but only after a full stop, a look at traffic, yielding to traffic, and stopping and staying stopped for pedestrians in the crosswalk. An official sign can prohibit the turn.

A New Jersey law (P.L.2009, c.319, approved January 2010) rewrote the turn rule for signal-controlled intersections. A driver may turn right on a stop (red) or caution signal, but must first come to a full stop, check traffic in all directions, and yield to traffic in the direction of the turn.

The same rule requires the driver to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians crossing in the marked crosswalk being entered. The turn, and the approach to it, should be made as close to the right-hand curb as practicable unless the intersection is posted otherwise.

Exceptions

  • An official sign can prohibit the turn on red; where one is posted, wait for a green signal.
  • The source summarised here does not list other exceptions.

Why this rule matters for safety

Pedestrians often cross while turning drivers look only for gaps in cross traffic, so a full stop gives time to see both.

Official sources

  • P.L.2009, c.319 (amends R.S.39:4-115, 39:4-144, 39:4-36) · New Jersey Legislature (session law, hosted by Rutgers Law Library)Section 3 amends R.S.39:4-115(b), the right turn on a stop or caution signal after a full stop, yielding and stopping for pedestrians. Law approved January 18, 2010. Later amendments to the statute were not checked.

Rules checked against these sources on . Laws change. Confirm with the New Jersey agency before you rely on this for a legal matter.

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