Turning Right on Red

Arguments for Abandoning the Measure Due to Traffic Safety Risks

The Transformative Transport Planning Research Group of the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, in cooperation with Vozim Institute organised, on 27 May 2026, the expert discussion »Right Turn on Red: Risks and International Experiences«. The measure allowing motor vehicles to turn right on red, when an intersection is equipped with a special traffic sign, has been in force in Slovenia since 2021. Transport planning experts presented findings from international research on this topic and, together with representatives of the Vozim Institute, called for the abandoning of the measure due to the traffic safety risks.

Right turn on red (RTOR) is permitted in the United States and Canada and in some European countries; the rules vary between countries. In the United States, this measure became more widespread after the 1973 energy crisis in order to reduce fuel consumption and improve intersection flow. Right turn on red is therefore generally allowed after stopping, unless explicitly prohibited by traffic signage. In most European countries, and in Slovenia, where it has been in use since 2021, the approach is more restrictive: turning right on red is only permitted where it is specifically allowed by an additional green arrow or a dedicated traffic sign.

Dr Aljaž Plevnik, Head of the Transformative Transport Planning Research Group at UIRS, stated at the discussion: »International research and our observations show that a large proportion of drivers do not comply with the requirement to come to a complete stop when turning right on red. Drivers focus their attention on the left, towards the oncoming motor traffic they intend to join, and therefore may overlook pedestrians and cyclists approaching the intersection from the right or already crossing the carriageway on a green signal. This endangers and obstructs pedestrians and cyclists, reduces the time available for crossing, and can influence their behaviour, for example by leading them to avoid such intersections.« At the discussion, Plevnik also presented a policy paper reviewing international literature on this measure.

Changes in vehicle design also increase the risks for pedestrians and cyclists when turning right on red. Vehicles have become taller and wider, which reduces visibility, extends braking distances, and increases the severity of collisions with vulnerable road users. The number of large passenger vehicles is also increasing in Slovenia.

The ambassador of the Vozim Institute Žiga Breznik, who has transformed his experience of a traffic accident into a mission of implementing preventive programmes, said at the event: »As in recent times I have increasingly been using a wheelchair and also a handcycle instead of a car to move around the city, I am realising that our cities are built for cars rather than for pedestrians and cyclists. As a result, the most vulnerable road users are becoming increasingly at risk. In Ljubljana, I often encounter critical points—among them particularly dangerous intersections with green arrows for turning right—where drivers usually pay attention only to other cars, while overlooking pedestrians and cyclists who have priority. Driving culture reflects the state of society: there is less empathy and more egoism, to which constant engagement with mobile phones and the digital world while driving also strongly contributes. Since we can no longer rely on drivers’ tolerance, it is essential to adapt infrastructure so that it inherently protects the most vulnerable—pedestrians, children, cyclists, and users of other forms of mobility.«
 

Prof. Dr Grigorios Fountas from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki presented key conclusions of international research in this field and stated: »In recent years, many cities in the United States have begun to restrict or eliminate the possibility of right turn on red, primarily due to safety risks for vulnerable road users. In Washington, a complete ban on such turns was introduced in 2025, and the same ban has long been in place in New York. Initiatives to ban or significantly restrict this option are also underway in other cities, as this measure is not in line with contemporary transport policies.«

The proposal to abandon the currently permitted right turn on red at intersections equipped with a green arrow in Slovenia also stems from a broader paradigm shift in transport planning. Measures that increase the flow of motor traffic at the expense of increased risk to pedestrians and cyclists are not in line with long-term transport development goals or with prioritising the most vulnerable road users. In the Slovenian context, where integrated transport planning emphasises improving accessibility, reducing dependence on cars, and increasing road safety, the introduction of this traffic sign represents a deviation from these principles. Considering the findings of international research, the absence of a comprehensive Slovenian evaluation, and the direction of contemporary transport policies, it would be reasonable to abandon the use of this traffic sign in Slovenia.

Video with key messages from the discussion: HERE

Recording of the expert discussion: HERE

Policy paper: HERE.

Photo credits: Luka Karlin (event photos); other images: UIRS archive

The event was organised by the Transformative Transport Planning Research Group UIRS in cooperation with the Vozim Institute as part of the Care4Planet project.

The Transformative Transport Planning Research Group at UIRS focuses on a paradigm shift in transport planning. It operates both nationally and internationally, collaborating with leading experts as well as public and private stakeholders. The group develops evidence-based recommendations and solutions grounded in research and practical testing, drawing on more than 20 years of experience. It also provides training for professionals and decision-makers and contributes to the education of future experts in the field of transport planning.