Right Turn on Red

The Capilano & Marine turn is a good example of a challenging right turn on red (when you're in the outer lane), particularly these days when there's an initial bus lane at the curb on Marine which most drivers can't enter. So determining the proper arc to complete the turn in without interfering with adjacent turning vehicles is essential.

But meanwhile, what about left turns on red? They're allowed here in BC, when you're turning into a one way street (and no, it doesn't matter whether you're turning from a one way street). Fact is, potential conflicts are reduced when turning left on a red.

The best 'equivalent' left turn on a red would be from southbound Thurlow into eastbound Nelson. And that one is much simpler, in terms of figuring out potential conflicts.

A block over, where one can turn left from Burrard into Nelson (apart from a sign prohibiting this at certain times of day) requires accute comprehension of the potential hazards of turning left, be it on a green arrow, a solid green, or a red light. It's worth noting where the 'staggered' stop lines are painted there also; but as noted by our site host in a separate item recently, there's nothing in law that mandates you have to remain behind the stop line, so long as you don't get into a conflict with vehicles or pedestrians.

Left turns on red-lights Yes you can and love it when I make my students do it.. That look of panic on the first one. BUT prior to it I explain that it is legal. Now in Kelowna several intersections have lights for cyclists and motor-vehicals.. Thats the LOOK and understand what you looking at lights.. Ill try to find a few pics, and even seasoned drivers are a bit confused.. 

Why we teach the right way to drive after that BE FREE.. 

After more than half a century behind the wheel, I'm old enough to recall the days when traffic lights were rare.  And I don't think they had even created pedestrian signals at intersections in BC.

And while the rationale provided ...

Right turn on red was implemented to save time and fuel for drivers

... is probably partially correct, I don't think it's the whole story. The thing is, when you create a new traffic control device like a traffic signal, it appears (appropriately) to control and move traffic flow at the busiest intersections and seems like a worthwhile inconvenience. But at 2:00 am, expecting drivers to stop and stay stopped when there's really nobody around (and they're only planning a turn if it's safe and won't affect anyone) is absurd. And that's how it was, back then! Why? Because all of the lights ran on timers, which could be awfully arbitrary as they ignored actual vehicle movement and demand.

If traffic law is absurd, drivers will ignore it, so long as they don't think they'll get caught. Thus, the right-on-red allowance, plus the left-on-red allowance, and the proceed straight allowance (mid-block) in BC. In each case you have to stop completely and give utter right of way to everything in the universe, which is fine; after all it's your red light.

The thing is, these days, traffic light control has changed radically from being run by some arbitrary timer system, to a much more refined age of traffic technology, and this is a system that is undergoing ongoing upgrading. 

But it's my belief that in fact, in many cases, allowing drivers to turn on a red has become redundant. Modern systems react to demand from all road users, from pedestrians to cyclists to buses to emergency vehicles, whilst also at times moving traffic in 'waves' according to the typical vehicle movement. Solutions are as varied as conditions.

So theoretically, here in BC, we could introduce a law that prohibits the maneuver. However, and this is important, this has become a habitual and logical ingrained behaviour for most drivers in Canada and the US. So why not refine things further?

How could traffic engineers improve flow, whilst making traffic lights more efficient, and driver's actual movements more rational and safe, while also legal (you may ask)?

Simple! Create a demand in the motor vehicle act that at any intersection that already exists, or may be created, in each case, where there is a 'green arrow' protected left turn phase, there must also be a reciprocal 'green arrow' protected right turn phase going the opposite way! 

This is not rocket science. And obviously, the 'protectedness' of the turn is the drivers is the same - zero conflicts with drivers or pedestrians or cyclists etc. And, significantly, it would enable all those drivers about to make that right turn on the red to obey that green arrow, instead of stopping completely pointlessly for the red light.

This would encourage drivers to pay better attention to the phase of the light, and pending changes to pedestrian / cyclist movements, whilst making them more efficient, so less fuel wastage, also. Supposedly one of the original goals of allowing turns on a red.