In 2025, Alaska’s traffic laws saw an important update that every driver should be aware of—the Right Turn on Red Rule. If you’re driving in Alaska or planning to visit, understanding this change will help you avoid fines and ensure smoother navigation through intersections. The updated rule applies to certain conditions and restrictions on when and where you can make a right turn at a red light.
What is the Right Turn on Red Rule?
Traditionally, the rule allows drivers to make a right turn at a red light unless there is a sign prohibiting it. This rule applies when there’s no oncoming traffic, pedestrians crossing, or other hazards that could make turning unsafe. However, with the 2025 update, Alaska has put additional measures in place to improve safety, particularly in urban and high-traffic areas.
Key Points of the 2025 Update:
Specific Signage Required: Drivers must now be more attentive to intersection signage. If there’s no sign prohibiting the right turn on red, it’s generally allowed, but local jurisdictions can add signs that restrict this action in busy or hazardous areas. These signs must be clearly visible.
Complete Stop Before Turning: Drivers are required to come to a full stop before making a right turn on red. This rule has always been in place but is now being enforced more strictly. Failure to stop completely could result in fines or penalties.
Pedestrian Safety: The update emphasizes pedestrian safety. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, even if the light is red and they’re turning right. The rule requires a careful check for pedestrians before turning, and failure to do so may result in fines.
Local Variations: In larger cities like Anchorage, there may be more specific intersections where right turns on red are prohibited. This update allows local authorities to adjust traffic regulations based on the area’s specific needs and traffic patterns.
Why This Update Matters
The main goal of this update is to reduce traffic accidents, especially in busy urban areas where pedestrians and cyclists are more prevalent. Alaska’s government hopes to create safer intersections while still allowing traffic to flow smoothly. By requiring clearer signage and stronger adherence to pedestrian right-of-way laws, this rule aims to balance convenience with safety.
How It Affects Drivers
Drivers must stay alert and follow posted signs at all intersections. The increased emphasis on pedestrian safety means that drivers must be extra cautious when turning right at a red light, particularly in urban areas or near schools, parks, and shopping areas. The 2025 update doesn’t completely ban right turns on red, but it does require more awareness of local regulations and conditions.
The 2025 update to Alaska’s Right Turn on Red Rule is all about safety, both for drivers and pedestrians. By ensuring that drivers fully stop and check for pedestrians before making a right turn, the state is aiming to reduce traffic accidents and improve road safety. Always be aware of local signage, especially when driving in urban areas, to ensure you’re following the updated regulations and avoiding unnecessary fines.
SOURCES
[1] https://mywaynecountynow.com/alaska-traffic-rule-2025-update-understanding-the-right-turn-on-red-rule-2/
[2] https://mywaynecountynow.com/alaska-traffic-rule-2025-update-understanding-the-right-turn-on-red-rule/
[3] https://collincountymagazine.com/2025/06/09/alaska-traffic-rule-2025-update-understanding-the-right-turn-on-red-rule/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_on_red
[5] https://mywaynecountynow.com/south-dakotatraffic-rule-2025-update-understanding-the-right-turn-on-red-rule/
