Since the year 2025, the laws that govern right turns on red lights in Oregon have remained unambiguous and consistent, but they have placed a greater focus on safety and compliance. In the state of Oregon, each and every driver should be aware of the following information regarding making a right turn at a red light, including the most recent modifications and the continuing enforcement priorities.
The Basic Rule: Right Turn on Red Is Legal—With Conditions
Drivers in the state of Oregon are allowed to make a right turn at a red light or red arrow, unless there is a notice that is displayed at the intersection that expressly prohibits making such a turn. In order to make the turn, you are required to come to a complete stop on the indicated stop line, at the crosswalk, or before entering the junction. The law mandates that you must completely stop moving before making the turn. Before continue with the turn, you are required to give way to all pedestrians and traffic coming in the other direction after you have stopped.
Key Requirements for a Legal Right Turn on Red:
- Complete Stop: Before approaching a crosswalk or intersection, you must come to a complete stop. Especially with greater photo traffic enforcement beginning in June 2025, rolling stops are not allowed and can result in a citation. Rolling stops in particular are prohibited.
- Yielding: Once you have come to a complete stop, you are required to yield to all pedestrians who are in the crosswalk as well as to any vehicles that have the right of way.
- No Prohibitive Signage: Keep an eye out for things like “No Turn on Red.” Waiting for the green light is required of you if it is present.
- Proper Lane Use: Unless otherwise indicated by lane markings or signage, make the turn from the lane to the right, as close to the curb as practicable.
Dual Right Turn Lanes and Marked Intersections
Multiple right turn lanes are currently available at a number of crossroads in the state of Oregon. In the event that both lanes are designated as right-turn lanes, you are permitted to make a right turn on red from either lane, provided that you ensure that you adhere to the lane markings and do not cross into another lane while making the turn. In order to reduce the number of lane changes that occur within the intersection, each lane must make a turn into the lane that corresponds to the road that you are entering.
Recent Enforcement and Safety Initiatives
In order to lessen the number of accidents sustained by pedestrians and cyclists, the Vision Zero Action Plan for 2023-2025 in Oregon has raised the number of “No Turn on Red” signs that are shown in high-risk zones, particularly in Portland and other urban centers for example. Due to the fact that infractions of these signs can result in fines and points being added to your driving record, drivers should be on the lookout for them.
Clarifications and Definitions of Common Misconceptions
- Turning from Non-Curb Lanes: If the signs or lane markings specifically allow for a different direction, you should only turn right on red from the lane that is immediately to your right.
- Left Turn on Red: In the state of Oregon, it is only permissible to make a left turn on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street after coming to a complete stop and acknowledging the presence of pedestrians and other vehicles.
- Photo Enforcement: Increased usage of red-light cameras in 2025 implies that going through a red light before turning can easily result in a fine.
Recommended Procedures for Motorists
- Constantly look for and obey any signs that are placed.
- Maintain a complete stop and conduct a thorough search for pedestrians and bikers.
- Stay in the lane that has been allotted for you during the turn.
- When you are in locations where there is a lot of pedestrian or bicycle traffic, use extra caution.
In the year 2025, the right turn on red regulation in Oregon will continue to be driver-friendly, but it will require strict respect to the criteria of both safety and the law. It is imperative that drivers be vigilant, adhere to the regulations, and constantly put the safety of all road users as their top priority, especially in light of the heightened enforcement and growing urban infrastructure.
