2 days ago
Can I turn left at a red light onto a one-way street? What Idaho law says
Many areas in downtown Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley are full of one-way streets, causing confusion about what rules apply or the differences from two-way streets.
But what about turning left onto a one-way street during a red light?
Although a steady red light while turning left usually means you must stop and cannot go through the intersection until the light changes, the rules vary on one-way roads.
In Idaho, it is legal to turn left onto a one-way street on a red light, Boise Police Department spokesperson Haley Williams told the Idaho Statesman.
'You can turn left on red onto a one-way as long as it's clear and that red light is not a red arrow,' Williams said.
The one-way road must be traveling left, but after a complete stop, you are then allowed to turn left onto the road while yielding to oncoming traffic. A left turn onto a one-way street is only permitted if there are no signs prohibiting the turn.
Many drivers assume that turning left on red is always illegal — or forget that it's legal only when turning onto a one-way street that travels in the direction of the turn. Turning left on red onto a two-way street remains illegal in Idaho and most states.
A red arrow means you need a green light to advance, regardless of whether you're turning left or right.
These rules are also outlined in Title 49 of the Idaho Statutes, which allows a left turn onto a one-way highway that carries traffic in the direction of the left turn during a red light, as long as there are no signs or authorities prohibiting the turn.
Title 49 also reminds drivers that when faced with a red light, they must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the road.
Idaho is one of many states that allow a left turn on red onto a one-way street. But drivers should note that rules vary across state lines. For instance, in Washington and Oregon, similar rules apply, while some states restrict this maneuver more heavily or require explicit signage allowing it.
