More than 200 “No Turn on Red” signs have popped up at intersections across Montgomery County, Maryland.
Some drivers said they were caught off guard by the signs, which are mostly in the urbanized areas of the county, including Bethesda, Germantown, Wheaton and White Flint.
“I don’t really think it’s an unsafe thing to take a right on red,” commuter Jack Cannapelle said.
“I don’t know where this is coming from. Been living here my whole life and all of a sudden, you know, you kinda gotta wait a few more seconds, you gotta go the other way,” he said.
Montgomery County leaders said drivers hit about 600 people who were walking or biking last year. The signs are part of an effort to cut down on such crashes.
Councilmember Evan Glass, who chairs the County’s Transportation Committee.
“Right turn on red is dangerous because people tend to be looking straight ahead or to their left. And so as they are turning right, which is the sharpest and easiest of turns to make, they’re typically blindsided by somebody who is already in the crosswalk,” Mongtomery County Councilmember Evan Glass said.
Drivers who go against one of the signs could receive a $90 fine.
“Downtowns are usually busy so I think it helps with safety,” said Ida, a cyclist.
Cannapelle, who is also a cyclist, said he was recently hit on his bike by a driver making a right turn on red.
“I was hit. I fell off the bike, kind of ran into the curb. I’d show you my cuts but I have a sweater on,” he told News4.
But he said he still doesn’t think the ban on right turns is necessary.
“I don’t know. It’s just what I’m used to, you know what I mean?”
The new law banning right turns on red took effect in July, but the county said it took a while for the Department of Transportation to acquire the signs and install them.
Turning right at red lights is also banned at many intersections in D.C. and Arlington, Virginia.
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