Right-turn-on-red in Indiana

R IG H T -T U R N -O N -R E D H IS T O R Y The controversial Right-Turn-On-Red (R T O R ) at signalized intersections began in 1937 when some authorities in California became convinced that motorists making right turns were wasting too much time waiting for the green traffic signal. These authorities first experi­ mented with permitting motorists to make a right turn while facing a red signal only when a sign was in place allowing such action (per­ mission by exception). In 1947 the state of California passed legislation permitting the R T O R movement at all signalized intersection ap­ proaches unless a sign was in place prohibiting the movement (per­ mission by rule). In both cases the driver was required to stop first and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles properly approaching the intersection. Since that time, permitting motorists to make a R T O R has spread gradually throughout the country because of its reduction of traffic delays and fuel consumption. Table 1 shows the use of R T O R in several recent years. Due to the different practices in the different states, the result has been much confusion for the driver as he travelled from one state to another.