D.C.'s ban on right turns on all red signals took effect with the new year, but the rule won’t be actively enforced at every intersection.
The law, which first passed in late 2022 without Mayor Muriel Bowser’s signature, also requires the D.C. Department of Transportation to install no turn on red signs at all red light intersections, but DDOT says funding challenges will prevent that from happening.
Aside from funding challenges, there’s also been pushback from some in Congress about banning right turns on red, a move some see as "anti-car."
"Whatever they can do to protect the pedestrians and whatever -- do it!” one pedestrian said, saying they're thrilled any extra bit of safety will come to District streets.
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DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum told News4 in a recent interview that her big challenge for road safety is a culture change among drivers.
”The hardest one for us -- and for every other city that’s dealing with this -- is really on the behavior change,” Kershbaum said.
Drivers who violate the no right turn on red ban at intersections where there is clear signage could face a $100 fine.
Transportation
Reporter Adam Tuss and the News4 team are covering you down on the roads and in transit.
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