Seattle adds 73 no-right-on-red intersections
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Photo: Courtesy of SDOT
Seattle has added 73 intersections where right turns are banned at red lights, increasing its number of no-right-on-red signals by almost 75% since last year.
Why it matters: Drivers turning right on red are more likely to fail to yield to pedestrians and crash than drivers who turn when lights are green, some studies have found.
Yes, but: Many Seattle drivers seem unclear about the recent changes, judging by the level of honking at some of these intersections.
By the numbers: At the start of 2023, Seattle had about 100 intersections with "No Turn on Red" signs, according to the city Department of Transportation.
- Now, there are 173 such intersections citywide.
- The new no-right-on-red signals are located mostly downtown and along Aurora Avenue North.
- Many intersections were updated between June and December, although others had signs posted earlier in the year.
The big picture: City officials are making "No Turn on Red" the default for new or upgraded traffic signals going forward.
- It's part of the city's plan to reach its "Vision Zero" goal of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030.
What they're saying: "Let's not trade people's safety so people in cars can save a few seconds of waiting for their turn to go," SDOT director Greg Spotts said in a recent blog post.
Of note: In Seattle, right-turn-on-red crashes made up about 9% of all crashes with people walking at signal intersections from 2016 to 2020, according to the city.
Meanwhile, other cities, such as Denver and San Francisco, have been considering citywide bans on right turns on red.
- Last year, Washington, D.C. passed a ban that will take effect in 2025, while Atlanta's City Council approved a ban Monday that will apply to some city neighborhoods.
What's next: SDOT plans to add more no-right-turn on red signs at Seattle intersections later this year, but hasn't decided exactly where.
The bottom line: Stop honking and look up. You just might see a sign.