Can you turn left on red in UK

No, here in the UK if the lights red for your lane, you don't fuckin' move. If you have to turn right at a junction you have to cross a lane of traffic coming the other way so that would end up in higher road traffic accidents.

I'm in agreement that that particular driving law would make perfect sense over here - if you're turning left at a red light and not driving straight on across a junction you should be able to merge into the traffic - you're not having to cross a lane of traffic going the opposite way.

But saying that, some of our drivers and pedestrians just wouldn't be happy to work together to make that kind of thing work and not get run over.

Can you turn left on red in UK

UK drivers could be allowed to turn left when the traffic lights turn red if the new US-oriented road propositions are presented in the UK.

LeaseCar.uk Traffic Consultants have acknowledged the concept of adapting the US-oriented road conventions as they could be a huge convenience for the UK’s rush-hour congestion in massive towns and cities.

The United States road convention, it states legal for drivers to turn right at the red traffic light when it’s safe to do so.

In most US states, it is legal to turn right at a red light if safe to do so. Given that we drive on the opposite side of the road, it would mean making a left turn at red lights would become acceptable in Britain.

Campaigners are sure that doing so would reduce fuel emissions, reduce congestion and ease journey timings.

Having fewer vehicles at red lights to wait would help reduce driver’s pocket’s on fuel and reduce the overall pollution in the area.

Making citizens of the UK turn left would also ease traffic jams in some of the busiest cities in the UK at rush hour, even on the smart motorways and A-roads.

As the move would help motorists get to their destinations much faster, and doing so would also facilitate the economy and promote physical activities.

In the United States (being New York as an exemption), driving on opposite sides of the road allows drivers to turn inside, around the corner to the right when the red light hits.

It’s commonly authorised in many countries around the globe to ease the traffic flow for turning inside when the red light hits, (countries mentioned below).

It’s deemed legal in countries like China, Canada, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, some parts of Australia and EU countries, particularly at junctions where signs promoting this practice are installed.

Noting that in the United States, turning on red is only allowed after the driver has brought the vehicle to a complete halt and has made sure their manoeuvre will not going to be risky.

The oncoming traffic from the road is being conjoined can retain the right way, and it’s still the driver’s responsibility to give a path to pedestrians who are willing to cross the road.

Adapting this practice in the UK would feel similar to driving through junctions, where particular left-turn already skip traffic lights and making way to join the new carriageway via a give-way traffic sign.


Can you turn left on red in UK
British motorists could be allowed to turn left at red traffic lights if new US style road proposals are introduced to the UK.

Traffic consultants from LeaseCar.uk, believe rush hour congestion in the UK’s largest towns and cities could be massively eased if we adopt American style road conventions.

In most US States it is legal to turn right on a red light if safe to do so. Given that we drive on the opposite side of the road it would mean making a left turn at red lights would become acceptable in Britain.

Campaigners from LeaseCar.uk, say the move would reduce fuel emissions, decrease journey times and ease congestion at junctions.

Having less vehicles sat waiting at red lights would help the environment and drivers’ pockets, by improving fuel efficiency and reducing pollution in the locality.

Allowing Brits to turn left on red lights would also cut traffic jams in some of the busiest cities, especially at rush hour and upon exiting motorways or major A-roads.

As motorists would also get to their destination quicker, the new law could also help stimulate the economy and encourage physical activity, with Brits wasting less time sat in their cars.

In the USA, where they drive on the opposite side of the road, most states (with the exception of places like New York City) always allow drivers to turn inside, around a corner to the right, under a red stop light.

Campaigners from LeaseCar.uk said turning inside on red is also a commonly permitted in many other countries across the world to smooth the flow of traffic.

It is legal in Canada, China, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Lebanon, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Thailand – even parts of Australia and some EU countries (at junctions where signs permitting the practice have been installed).

In the USA turning inside on red is only allowed after the driver has brought the vehicle to a full stop and then checked their manoeuvre will not be dangerous.

LeaseCar.uk have highlighted that oncoming traffic from the road that is being joined would retain right of way and that it would still be the turning driver’s responsibility to give way to any pedestrians wishing to cross, were this American law rightly implemented in the UK

Adopting the practice in Britain would feel similar to driving through junctions where specific left-turn slip lanes already skip busy traffic lights or roundabouts and then join the new carriageway further down, via a give-way sign.

Gareth Roberts, who is spear-heading the campaign from LeaseCar.uk said: “We want people to get from A to B in less time and using less fuel.

“So we are calling on the government to be proactive with motoring regulations and follow the lead of our friends across the pond.

“Clogged up British roads are a frustrating and polluting nightmare and no driver, or passenger, enjoys sitting at traffic lights unnecessarily.

“But allowing motorists to turn left on red lights – by that I mean hugging the inner corner – would reduce fuel emissions, decrease journey times and ease congestion.

“The number of cars on the road in the UK keeps growing, but parliament could help manage some of the problems by introducing a common sense bill to permit turning inside on red.

“As with the American version of this law, the left-turning driver would still have to stop and assess there is no risk before attempting the manoeuvre.

“It would remain criminal to cause danger to other road users, by not giving way to oncoming traffic or crossing pedestrians, or by ignoring signs in specific locations where turning left on red would not be practical.”

Can you turn right on red UK?

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Research, said: “Basically, you can turn right on red if you are already in the junction and have crossed the main stop line.

Can you turn left on red in Scotland?

You cannot turn on a red light unless indicated otherwise. There are no toll roads or bridges in Scotland.

Is there left turn on red in Europe?

No. Because in Europe, Red means stop. Stop. There is no turning on a red light.

Is there free left in UK?

Obviously if there was such a rule in the UK it would be a “free left” instead (because we drive on the opposite side of the road), but in any event: there is no equivalent rule. In the UK you must come to a complete stop at a red light, and barring emergencies you are not allowed to go through.