San Francisco expands right turn on red ban to 200 downtown intersections
SAN FRANCISCO – Drivers will soon no longer be allowed to make a right turn with a red light in much of downtown San Francisco, following a decision by city officials this week.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is expanding their "No Turn on Red" Program to 200 intersections in the Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach, South of Market, and Financial District.
"You know, in this city, it may not be a bad idea," resident Jamie Dillon said. "When I moved here 20 years ago, it was okay, people paid attention, but I think now with people walking around with noise cancelation, I can't tell you how many times I've seen people almost get run over."
This project is a new expansion of the SFMTA's program, which originally covered the Tenderloin.
Sustainable transportation advocate Luke Bornheimer is a supporter of the project and the extension.
"At the 50 intersections that SFMTA implemented No Turn on Red in 2021, 92% of drivers complied with those no turn on red signs," Bornheimer said. "So this actually works incredibly well."
Advocacy group Walk San Francisco is championing the project.
"No-turn-on-red is a pedestrian-first solution that gives both drivers and people walking their dedicated time, preventing dangerous conflict in the crosswalk," Executive Director Jodie Medeiros said. "Downtown is where the highest concentration of high-injury streets are, which is why we are thrilled to hear that the SFMTA is proposing to bring no-turn-on-red to 200 intersections downtown.
SFMTA still has to install nearly all the signs. They expect to be finished in the summer of 2025.
Dillion says she has some conflicting opinions about what's best for drivers.
"If it works out from a traffic standpoint you can make your right turn easily and be on your way," Dillon said. "It's obviously more efficient and faster."
She says she's hesitant to support another law.
"I also don't like one more regulation, one more thing the city doesn't need," Dillion said, "But I don't think people are careful."
Last year, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support a citywide ban on turning right on red lights. That resolution has not been signed by the mayor or implemented yet.
New York City, Seattle and Washington DC have instituted citywide right on red bans.