As of 2025, Connecticut law continues to permit right turns on red at most intersections, but with specific requirements and exceptions:
- Mandatory Stop: Drivers must come to a complete stop before the crosswalk or intersection when facing a steady red signal.
- Permitted Right Turn: After stopping, a driver in the travel lane nearest the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn onto a two-way street or another one-way street going to the right, unless a posted sign prohibits this movement.
- Yielding Requirements: The driver must yield the right-of-way to:
- Pedestrians within an adjacent crosswalk
- Other vehicles lawfully using the intersection
- Prohibited by Sign: If there is a sign approved by the Office of the State Traffic Administration prohibiting right turns on red at that location, the turn is not allowed.
Key Points for 2025
- No Change to Basic Rule: The right turn on red rule remains essentially unchanged from previous years: stop, yield, and only turn if not prohibited by signage.
- Pedestrian Safety Emphasis: Recent legislative proposals and traffic safety campaigns have emphasized strict yielding to pedestrians, reflecting an ongoing focus on pedestrian safety at intersections.
- No Left on Red: Connecticut continues to prohibit left turns on red from either one-way or two-way streets, regardless of signage, unlike some other states.
How to Comply
- Approach the intersection and stop fully at the red light.
- Check for posted signs-look for “No Turn on Red” indicators.
- Yield to all pedestrians in the crosswalk and any vehicles with the right-of-way.
- Proceed with the right turn only if it is safe and legal to do so.
Summary Table
| Action | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Right turn on red | Yes, after full stop | Unless prohibited by sign |
| Must yield to pedestrians | Yes | Always required |
| Must yield to other vehicles | Yes | Always required |
| Left turn on red | No | Prohibited statewide |
| Right turn on red if signed | No | If “No Turn on Red” sign is present |
Connecticut drivers may turn right on red after stopping and yielding, unless a posted sign prohibits it. There are no changes to this rule in 2025, but enforcement and public awareness around pedestrian safety remain a priority. Left turns on red remain illegal in all circumstances.
Right on red has been the norm for many years. A requirement to signal the turn? Drive through
Waterbury and watch motorists run red lights! Even in front of Waterbury P.D.!
It’s come to the point that traffic signals are merely suggestions, especiall since the orcs in Hartford decided
legalizing cannabis wouldn’t do any harm and might boost tax revenues.