Media Release: Monday, Feb. 28, 2022
Contact: Nick DelleDonne,
703 929 6656
Right Turn on Red (RTOR)
Since the mid 1970's it has been legal throughout the country (in fact most of the world) for a vehicle to make a right turn on a red light after making a full stop, unless it is posted that it is prohibited at that light. (New York City is an exception). This was in response to motor fuel shortages in 1973 and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 which required in §362(c)(5) that in order for a state to receive federal assistance in developing mandated conservation programs, they must permit right turns on red lights. It has been clearly shown that permitting right turn on red reduces the use of fossil fuels, which we all want to do.
In 2019 DC announced it was going to post “no turn on red” signs at 100 intersections throughout the District to reduce bicycle/pedestrian accidents, which is another thing we all want to do. Now Councilmember Mary Cheh proposes a bill to prohibit right turns on red at all stoplights unless a posted sign permits it.
We demand to see data from the 100 intersections where this has been tried. Did incidence of pedestrian and bicycle accidents due to right turning cars decrease? Is there evidence that abandoning a proven way of protecting the environment will protect pedestrians and cyclists? Let us see the Council's evidence and reasoning before they proceed with this proposal.
Barbara Meeker
Dupont East Civic Action Association
TheDCCoalition.org
