The Right Turn at a Red Light With a Bike Lane
You are driving in the right lane of a city street approaching a red light where you intend to turn right. To your right is a marked bike lane, and a cyclist is riding in it, slightly behind your right rear quarter. A pedestrian is standing on the corner near the crosswalk. The light is red for your direction. There is no sign prohibiting a right turn on red. Your right turn signal is on.
1. May you turn right on red, and what must you check before turning?
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A right turn on red is permitted after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it, but only after yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to traffic, including cyclists in the bike lane. Because the cyclist is behind your right rear quarter, a mirror check alone may not show them. You must stop fully, check your right mirror and blind spot, and yield to the pedestrian. If the cyclist is proceeding straight, you must not cut across the bike lane. Wait until the cyclist clears and the crosswalk is empty before turning.
2. What is the risk of turning immediately as the light changes to green?
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The cyclist may be traveling straight through the intersection in the bike lane. If you turn right as the light changes, you can cross the cyclist's path and cause a collision. Signal early, check your blind spot, and let the cyclist clear the intersection before completing the turn. Do not assume a green light means the bike lane is empty.