As of 2025, Oregon’s rules regarding right turns on red remain clear and consistent, but with heightened emphasis on safety and compliance. Here’s what every driver needs to know about making a right turn at a red light in Oregon, including recent updates and ongoing enforcement priorities.
The Basic Rule: Right Turn on Red Is Legal—With Conditions
In Oregon, drivers are permitted to make a right turn at a red light or red arrow, unless there is a posted sign explicitly prohibiting such a turn. Before making the turn, you must come to a complete stop—the law requires a full cessation of movement—at the marked stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection. After stopping, you must yield to all pedestrians and oncoming traffic before proceeding with the turn.
Key Requirements for a Legal Right Turn on Red:
Complete Stop: You must stop fully before the crosswalk or intersection. Rolling stops are not permitted and can result in a citation, especially with increased photo traffic enforcement as of June 2025.
Yielding: After stopping, yield to all pedestrians in the crosswalk and to any vehicles with the right of way.
No Prohibitive Signage: Look for signs such as “No Turn on Red.” If present, you must wait for the green signal.
Proper Lane Use: Make the turn from the rightmost lane, as close to the curb as possible, unless lane markings or signs indicate otherwise.
Dual Right Turn Lanes and Marked Intersections
Many intersections in Oregon now feature multiple right turn lanes. If both lanes are marked as right-turn lanes, you may turn right on red from either lane, provided you follow the lane markings and do not cross into another lane during the turn. Each lane must turn into the corresponding lane on the road you are entering, minimizing lane changes within the intersection.
Recent Enforcement and Safety Initiatives
Oregon’s Vision Zero Action Plan for 2023-2025 has increased the use of “No Turn on Red” signs in high-risk areas, particularly in Portland and other urban centers, to reduce pedestrian and cyclist injuries. Drivers should be alert for these signs, as violations can result in fines and points on your driving record.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Turning from Non-Curb Lanes: Only turn right on red from the rightmost lane unless signage or lane markings specifically allow otherwise.
Left Turn on Red: Oregon allows left turns on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a complete stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians.
Photo Enforcement: Increased use of red-light cameras in 2025 means rolling through a red light before turning can easily result in a citation.
Best Practices for Drivers
Always check for and obey posted signs.
Stop completely and double-check for pedestrians and cyclists.
Stay in your designated lane throughout the turn.
Be especially cautious in areas with heavy pedestrian or bicycle traffic.
Oregon’s right turn on red rule in 2025 remains driver-friendly but demands strict adherence to safety and legal requirements. With increased enforcement and evolving urban infrastructure, drivers should stay alert, follow the rules, and always prioritize the safety of all road users
Sources
[1] https://beavertonpolice.org/DocumentCenter/View/1663/Right-on-Red-2020—Did-You-Know
[2] https://www.yahoo.com/news/legal-turn-red-light-oregon-210504616.html
[3] https://www.tigard-or.gov/your-government/departments/police/traffic-safety/photo-traffic-enforcement-faq
[4] https://www.oregon.gov/odot/forms/dmv/37.pdf
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/oregon/comments/1jbz4fh/traffic_right_on_red_update/
