Right-turn ban legislation tweaked to take a more targeted approach
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Right turns would be banned at red lights in downtown, in school zones and on busy transit corridors under an amended plan from Metro Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda.
Why it matters: Sepulveda plans to tweak her legislation, which initially proposed a wider-reaching ban on right turns.
State of play: Sepulveda's proposal, unveiled last month, generated significant discussion within Metro about how ambitious the city should be when it comes to pedestrian safety measures.
- Her original legislation would have banned right turns at all red lights within the urban services district, which covers the majority of Davidson County.
- After some debate, she says she's drafting an amendment that takes a more targeted approach.
Zoom in: Sepulveda tells Axios over text she always planned to file a broader right-light ban in order to "get the ball rolling." Her goal is to improve pedestrian safety in Nashville.
- The Connect Downtown mobility study recommended banning right turns at red lights in the downtown area.
- The legislation would also ban right turns at red lights in school zones and tier one transit corridors, which cover some of the city's busiest roads.
What she's saying: "These areas have unique factors that make them priorities," she says. "Many already have pedestrian signals and sidewalks or are slated for improvements through Choose How You Move, while also experiencing high pedestrian accident rates.
- "Focusing on these areas first makes the most sense and allows us to put resources where they are needed the most."
Zoom out: Mayor Freddie O'Connell prefers the more targeted approach to banning right turns on red lights, his spokesperson says.
- Rather than a broad geographic area, O'Connell's administration wanted a data-driven approach that focused on the busiest pedestrian areas and roads where serious crashes have occurred.
- NDOT is also coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, since many of the busiest areas are state roads.
What's next: The right-turn ban legislation is scheduled to be considered at next week's council meeting.