More than 100 ‘No Turn on Red’ signs recently went up in Raleigh. Here’s where and why

The latest in our Triangle Asked & Answered series, in which we answer questions from the community, explores a relatively new rule banning right turns on red lights in Raleigh.

“A number of ‘No Turn On Red’ signs quietly went up at intersections around Raleigh that never had them before and don’t appear to need them and I am not a fan,” a social media user recently wrote.

The News & Observer found out when, where and why they were installed.

When did Raleigh put up the “no turn on red” signs downtown?

In March, Raleigh City Council authorized the addition of “No Turn on Red” signs downtown.

More than 100 signs were installed over the spring in the areas between Peace Street, MLK Jr. Boulevard, Glenwood Avenue and East Street, according to a memo by The City of Raleigh.

The signs were installed at “all signalized intersections within the limits of downtown Raleigh,” said traffic engineering manager Jed Niffenegger through spokesperson Rob Murray.

“These ordinances were passed to improve safety of pedestrians as they navigate Raleigh’s downtown core. This was not done just by Raleigh but in partnership with the NC Department of Transportation,” he said.

Why were the ‘no turn on red’ signs installed?

The “no right on red” law has been in place for a while, the Raleigh Police Department told us, but the sign installation is new.

After a pedestrian crash downtown killed a state employee in January 2019, Gov. Roy Cooper directed NCDOT engineers to study how to improve pedestrian safety in the downtown area, our reporting partner ABC11 wrote in March.

A series of recommendations came from this study, including:

• Adding Leading Pedestrian Intervals, which allows pedestrians to enter the crosswalk three to seven seconds before vehicles are given a green indication, per the U.S. Federal Highway Administration

• Lowering and posting the speed limit to 25 MPH

• Removing dual turning movements

• Prohibiting turning right on red

Where are the most pedestrian crashes in downtown Raleigh?

From 2007 to 2018, the highest number of pedestrian crashes occurred at the intersections of Hargett Street with Dawson Street and Wilmington Street, according to the Downtown Raleigh Pedestrian Safety Study.

Most of these pedestrian crashes resulted in “evident injury,” the study said.

The Pedestrian Safety Study found that almost 140 pedestrian crashes were reported in this time period in downtown Raleigh. The study proposed installing “no right on red” signs at all intersections of Hargett Street and at limited-visibility areas of Edenton and Morgan Streets.

The study inspired Raleigh City Council’s decision to install the new signs, Niffenegger said.

It was conducted by the NCDOT Traffic Safety Unit, the City of Raleigh’s transportation department and the NC Office of State Human Resources Pedestrian Safety Initiative Committee.

It analyzed the area of downtown Raleigh from Peace Street to Hargett Street and from Dawson Street to Bloodworth Street, including Halifax Mall, the State Capitol and parts of Nash and Moore Squares.

You can read the study by visiting oshr.nc.gov/dt-raleigh-pedestrian-safety-study-2019.

What’s the penalty for turning right on a red light in downtown Raleigh?

You might have to pay a few hundred dollars, according to city law.

“Failure to yield to a pedestrian under this subdivision shall be an infraction, and the court may assess a penalty of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00),” the law says.

Since the signs have been installed, RPD has not issued any tickets or violations for drivers turning right during a red light, according to the department.

Red light camera-enforced intersections in Raleigh

The SafeLight Red Light Camera Program in Raleigh works to “reduce angle collisions at intersections where the red light running problem continues after other safety measures have failed to work,” the city’s website says.

Citations carry a $50 civil fine, and late payment fees are an additional $50. Driver’s license and insurance points are not assessed.

This program takes photos of vehicles that have committed red light violations, which occur when “a car enters the intersection, crossing the stop bar, after the traffic signal has turned red.” There are some exceptions to this rule, such as being directed by a uniformed officer or moving out of the way of an emergency vehicle.

The program has received pushback since Raleigh began using the SafeLight camera system in 2003, The N&O reported last year. In 2021, nearly 30,000 citations were issued.

Here are Raleigh’s red light camera enforced intersections:

• New Hope Church at Brentwood - Eastbound

• Dawson at Morgan - Southbound

• New Bern at Tarboro - Eastbound

• Martin Luther King at Blount - Westbound

• Six Forks at Rowan - Southbound

• Capital at Highwoods - Northbound

• Wilmington at Chapanoke - Southbound

• McDowell at Morgan - Northbound

• New Bern at I440 (Inner) – Eastbound

• New Bern at I440 (Outer) - Westbound

• Capital at New Hope Church - Northbound

• Six Forks at Dartmouth Rd - Northbound

• Old Wake Forest at Millbrook - Westbound

• Edwards Mill at John Humphries and Ed - Eastbound

• New Hope at Corporation and Columbus Club- Northbound

• Edenton at Wilmington - Westbound

• Martin Luther King at Rock Quarry - Westbound

• Martin Luther King at State - Eastbound

• Gorman at Thistledown - Northbound

• Boylan at Morgan - Southbound

• Triangle Town at Town Center - Northbound

• Forestville at US401 Louisburg - Southbound

• Lead Mine at Sawmill - Southbound

• Morgan at Harrington - Eastbound

• Lynn at Hilburn - Eastbound

• Green Road at Calvary - Northbound

Learn more about the SafeLight program at raleighnc.gov/transit-streets-and-sidewalks.

How to be a safe pedestrian in downtown Raleigh

Watch for Me NC, a statewide group focused on pedestrian and cyclist safety, has a list of resources for pedestrians to keep them safe while walking among vehicles.

There are more than 8,000 pedestrian crashes in North Carolina each year, and an additional 350 cyclists are hit by vehicles. On average, they say 160 pedestrians are killed each year in the state.

Here’s what to know:

• Look for cars in all directions. This includes those turning left or right. never assume a driver will stop.

• Be careful crossing multiple lanes of traffic. Make sure each lane of traffic is clear before you cross.

• Enhance your visibility at night. Walk in well-lit areas, carry a flashlight or wear something reflective, such as stickers or armbands, to be more visible.

• Avoid distraction. We frequently see people texting or talking on cell phones when crossing streets. This diminishes the ability of your two key senses, hearing and seeing, that are used to detect and avoid cars. Particularly when crossing streets, put down the phone for a few seconds.

• Follow the rules of the road. Obey signs and signals. This helps you be predictable to drivers.

• Watch for cars backing up in parking lots. Brake lights can mean that a car is about to back up.

• Cross the street where you have the best view of traffic. At bus stops, cross behind the bus or at the nearest crosswalk.

• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from the roadway as you can.

Source: watchformenc.org/safetyresources

Triangle Asked & Answered: What do you want to know?

Have a question about something in our community? The News & Observer’s Service Journalism team wants your questions for our Triangle Asked & Answered series. Reach out to us by filling out this form or by sending an email to ask@newsobserver.com.