A rise in accidents causing harm to pedestrians and bicyclists has sparked a discussion among U.S. cities about the effectiveness and safety of allowing drivers to make right turns on red lights. The debate has led to calls for banning this practice, with some cities already taking action.

In June, Sophee Langerman, a cyclist in Chicago, experienced a collision when a car turning right rolled through a red light and hit her bike. Fortunately, Langerman escaped serious injury, but her bicycle required extensive repairs. This incident has only strengthened her belief that the option for drivers to turn right on red should be eliminated.

Numerous cities have begun to consider banning right turns on red to address the increase in accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Washington, D.C.'s City Council approved a ban last year, which will go into effect in 2025. Ann Arbor, Michigan, already prohibits right turns on red in its downtown area, and San Francisco recently voted to urge the ban citywide. Other major cities, including Los Angeles, Seattle, and Denver, are exploring similar measures.

The move to ban right on red has triggered intense debates on both sides. Safety advocates argue that drivers should not have the authority to decide when it is safe to make a right turn, especially considering the high level of distractions on the roads. However, the National Motorists Association, an organization advocating for drivers' rights, believes that such bans may not necessarily improve safety and instead contribute to making driving more inconvenient.

Currently, the United States is one of the few major countries that generally allows right turns on red. In the 1970s, the U.S. government encouraged states to permit this practice to alleviate potential energy crises, threatening to withhold federal funding from cities that prohibited it. While speed limits capped at 55 mph, another energy-conscious regulation, has been abandoned, the right on red policy has endured.

Critics argue that banning right turns on red not only inconveniences motorists but also disrupts commuter buses and deliveries. However, some companies, like United Parcel Service, have already directed their drivers to avoid left turns as they see them as inefficient.

Opponents of the ban also raise concerns about the potential impact on lower-income drivers who heavily rely on personal vehicles and cannot afford housing near public transit. They fear that penalties resulting from right-on-red bans could disproportionately affect this demographic and further lead to increased surveillance through red light cameras.

While recent nationwide studies specifically addressing the number of injuries or deaths caused by right turns on red are lacking, a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association revealed that there were over 7,500 pedestrian fatalities due to automotive accidents in 2022, the highest number since 1981. The increase in larger vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, on the road has been cited as a contributing factor to this spike.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that pedestrians face higher risks when struck by pickups or SUVs due to larger blind spots and the increased force associated with heavier models.

The debate surrounding right turns on red has drawn on older studies that still hold relevance, with both sides presenting their arguments. A 1994 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highlighted injury crashes and fatalities resulting from right turns on red in Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, and Illinois. Advocates for a ban point out that this study predates the significant growth of the U.S. vehicle fleet and its more lethal nature.

As discussions continue, cities are grappling with finding a balance between convenience, safety, and transportation efficiency. While some believe that banning right turns on red is the right step forward, others argue that investments in road infrastructure improvements would be a more effective approach to reducing accidents.

In the end, the priority remains the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, and as the debate rages on, it is essential to consider evidence-based strategies and public opinions to find the most appropriate solutions.