Traffic laws, including the “right on red rule,” vary among jurisdictions. In Texas, drivers can legally turn right at a red light under Texas Transportation Code § 544.007. However, before they turn, they must stop and yield the right of way to other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists in bike lanes.
In most places in Texas, traffic law allows drivers to turn right at a red light. However, in some circumstances, a right-on-red turn may be illegal. To keep you and other drivers safe, you should follow state and local traffic laws, including those that allow and don’t allow drivers in Texas to turn right at red lights. At The Wilhite Law Firm, our Texas car accident lawyers want to help you understand the state’s rules of the road, so keep reading to discover how this traffic law works.
When Would a ‘No Right Turn on Red’ Sign Be Posted in Texas?
Before turning right at a red light, the driver must know whether it is allowed or not. In most areas of Texas, you can legally make a right-hand turn at a red light. In some scenarios, the law may prohibit this. One of the most common situations where you may encounter a “no right on red” sign is in areas with a large influx of pedestrian traffic, like downtown areas. High pedestrian traffic areas limit right turns at red lights because of the danger these turns pose to pedestrians using crosswalks. If you see a “no right turn on red” sign at an intersection that prohibits it, you must always wait for the green light, even if the way is clear.
Traffic officials may post signs in areas with complex or confusing traffic patterns that prohibit turning right at red lights. For example, making a right on red may be banned in areas with multiple lanes, unusual road patterns, and significant congestion. This may also be illegal at specific intersections or areas identified as dangerous due to a history of traffic accidents at the location.
Right-hand turns at a red light may seem familiar and authorized. However, to protect yourself and other drivers, always use caution, read all signs, and obey posted traffic instructions. Even if you do not notice a “no right turn on red” sign, remember to avoid rolling through the intersection, like you would with a yield sign. Under state law, you must always come to a complete stop and look for oncoming traffic before proceeding.
What Is the Penalty for Making an Illegal Right Turn at a Red Light in Texas?
Making a right-hand turn on a red light in a prohibited area in Texas can lead to substantial fines, just like running a red light. Under Texas traffic law, making an illegal right turn at a red light is a Class C misdemeanor offense that can result in penalties of up to $200.
Traffic violations also impact your driving record and insurance premiums. A conviction can affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle. While Texas no longer works with a point system, a ticket for an illegal right turn on red leads to a suspension if you already have three moving traffic violations within the last year or seven within the last 24 months.
However, if this is your first moving violation in a while, you may be eligible to take a state-approved defensive driving course. Taking this proactive step can get the ticket dismissed and prevent it from affecting your insurance premiums, unless you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), that is.
Are Commercial Driver’s License Holders Affected Differently?
Yes. Unlike regular drivers, CDL holders in Texas cannot use defensive driving courses or deferred disposition to dismiss an illegal right turn on red ticket and keep it off their driving record. You are also legally required to notify your employer of any traffic violation within 30 days of conviction, even if it happened off-duty in your personal vehicle.
An illegal right turn on red counts as a moving violation and a serious traffic violation under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules. These strict regulations apply to all CDL holders in Texas. If you are convicted of two serious traffic violations in a commercial vehicle within a three-year period, the state must disqualify your CDL for at least 60 days or a 120-day disqualification for three or more violations.
Are There Instances Where You Can Legally Turn Left on Red in Texas?
Left-hand turns at a red light are rare. Drivers can make left turns at red lights in limited situations. Texas law allows left-hand turns at a red light only when motorists turn from one one-way street onto another. Smaller downtown areas may post signs indicating that left-on-red turns are permitted.
Like right-on-red turns, you should always come to a complete stop, look both ways for oncoming traffic, and check the crosswalk for pedestrians before you try to make the turn. Always use caution and enter the intersection carefully to avoid a collision with oncoming vehicles or pedestrians.
Crashes involving drivers making an illegal right-on-red turn can be devastating because the victim may not expect a sudden intersection accident and may lack time to adjust or take evasive maneuvers. Careless motorists who do this can cause accidents and leave victims with significant physical injuries and a heavy financial burden.
What Should You Do If You Were Injured in an Accident Caused by a Driver Illegally Turning Right on Red?
After a crash, you can protect your legal rights and increase your chances of recovering maximum compensation for your injuries. Consider taking the following steps in the aftermath of an illegal right-on-red car accident in Texas:
- Contact the authorities — Always report the accident to the police. Law enforcement officers and emergency services can help document the scene, control traffic, and offer medical assistance.
- Seek medical attention immediately — Seek medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible, even if you believe your injuries are minor. The adrenaline of the situation can mask significant pain and other symptoms of injury. Your medical records will help you build a solid compensation claim.
- Exchange information — Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, but keep your interactions short and polite. Never admit fault or apologize for the incident, as doing so could put a portion of the blame on you.
- Document the scene — Take pictures and videos of the crash site as thoroughly as possible. Ask witnesses at the scene for their contact information and a brief statement about what they saw.
- Contact an attorney — The sooner you get an experienced Texas car accident attorney on your side, the better your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.
- Follow all medical advice — To strengthen your claim, explicitly follow your doctor’s advice, both for the best chances of recovery and to avoid treatment gaps that can minimize the severity of your injuries.
- Keep a paper trail — To help your attorney calculate the value of your claim, keep all accident-related medical bills, repair receipts, and documentation of other expenses. Also, keep track of the time you miss from work, pay stubs, and tax forms.
- Stay off social media — Do not post on social media platforms until your attorney settles your claim. Insurers and opposing attorneys can attempt to use your words against you to jeopardize your claim.
What About Texas’s Shared Fault Rule?
While ignoring a “no right turn on red” sign is a traffic violation that is subject to a ticket, if the maneuver causes an accident, Texas’s modified comparative fault system will definitely affect your rights to compensation. Under this proportionate responsibility legal doctrine (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001), if you are found to be more than half to blame for the collision, you cannot recover any damages at all.
This “51 percent” rule means that you will be responsible for all of your medical bills and car repairs because the turning driver is generally viewed as having the primary duty to yield. However, the other driver may also share fault if they were speeding, driving recklessly, or failed to take evasive action. That is why it is critical to have a skilled car accident attorney on your side. You need to ensure the insurance company does not try to pin the entire accident on you to avoid a payout.
Contact a Lawyer in Texas If You Were Injured in a Right Turn on Red Accident
An illegal turn at a red light can cause catastrophic damage. If a motorist making an illegal right-on-red turn hits and injures you, you will need an experienced car accident lawyer to help you navigate the claim process and hold the at-fault driver accountable for their careless actions.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, our legal team will seek maximum compensation for you. We work on a contingency basis. So, you will pay nothing upfront, and we will not get paid unless we recover compensation for you. Contact our law firm today at (303) 466-3529 or through our online form and set up a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options for seeking full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
