Dear Cop - Turning On Red

Please tell your readers the rules as they relate to a right turn on a red light. Must the driver come to a complete stop before proceeding or need they only ensure that traffic is clear?

Rob Crook

Turning at Intersections

Section 165 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act indicates that if the driver of a vehicle intends to turn it to the right at an intersection, the driver must cause it to approach the intersection and then make the turn as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.

Red light

Section 129 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act indicates that when a red light alone is exhibited at an intersection by a traffic control signal, the driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection and facing the red light must cause it to stop before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, before entering the intersection, and subject to the provisions of subsection (3), must not cause the vehicle to proceed until a traffic control signal instructs the driver that he or she is permitted to do so.

(3) Despite subsection (1), and except when a right turn permitted by this subsection is prohibited by a sign at an intersection, the driver of a vehicle facing the red light, and which in obedience to it is stopped as closely as practicable to a marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, as closely as practicable to the intersection, may cause the vehicle to make a right turn, but the driver must yield the right of way to all pedestrians and vehicles lawfully proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection.

If a driver slows the vehicle but fails to come to a complete stop before executing a right turn on a red light at an intersection, the driver could be fined $167 and 2 points

Constable R.A.(Richard) ASELTON
Central Okanagan Traffic Services - Media Liaison

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