In 2025, Arkansas has reaffirmed and clarified rules regarding right turns on red lights, emphasizing safety and cautious driving. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what the law says and what drivers need to remember about making right turns at red traffic signals in the state.
When Can You Turn Right on Red in Arkansas?
Arkansas law allows drivers to make a right turn at a red light after coming to a complete stop and ensuring it is safe to proceed. Drivers must stop at the crosswalk, or if none exists, before entering the intersection. The right turn on red is permitted unless a sign explicitly prohibits it at that intersection. The law states:
Drivers facing a steady red light may cautiously enter the intersection for the purpose of making a right turn, but only after stopping fully.
Yield to other vehicles and pedestrians who have the right of way before turning.
Drivers must turn into the right-most lane of the street they are entering.
The Duty to Be Cautious
Making a right turn on red is not a free pass to proceed without care. Arkansas law emphasizes that turns on red must be executed cautiously to prevent accidents. This includes:
Yielding to oncoming traffic that has a green light or green arrow.
Watching for pedestrians legally crossing in crosswalks.
Ensuring your turn does not interfere with other vehicles or create hazards.
A right turn on red that causes a collision may result in the driver being at fault, especially if they failed to come to a complete stop or did not exercise proper caution.
What About When Oncoming Traffic Has a Green Arrow?
In situations where oncoming traffic has a green left-turn arrow, a driver turning right on a red light must exercise added caution. While the law permits right turns on red, drivers must yield to all vehicles lawfully using the intersection, including those with green arrows indicating a protected left turn. Failure to do so can place liability for accidents on the right-turning driver.
Exceptions and Signage
If a sign prohibits a right turn on red, drivers must obey the sign and wait for a green light before turning. These signs are typically placed where visibility or intersection geometry makes right turns on red unsafe.
Summary of the Arkansas Rule on Right Turns at Red Lights
Right turns on red are legal after a complete stop, except where prohibited by signs.
Drivers must yield right of way to vehicles and pedestrians lawfully using the intersection.
Turns must be made into the right-most lane.
Exercise caution at all times, especially when oncoming traffic has a protected turning signal.
Failure to stop or yield can result in traffic citations, fines, or liability for accidents.
Why This Matters for Arkansas Drivers
Understanding these rules helps drivers avoid fines and accidents in Arkansas. It underlines the importance of full stops and attentive yielding at red lights, promoting safer intersections for everyone—drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
By abiding by these rules, Arkansas drivers contribute to a smoother flow of traffic and enhanced road safety across the state.
This brief guide on Arkansas’s right turn on red law ensures you know when and how to make turns legally and safely at red lights in 2025 and beyond.
Sources
[1] https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/motor-vehicle/recent-changes-in-the-law/
[2] https://ardot.gov/news/25-076/
[3] https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2F&file=209.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R
[4] https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-27/subtitle-4/chapter-52/subchapter-1/section-27-52-107/
[5] https://www.arkansashouse.org/news/post/30985/flashing-red-means-kids-ahead
