Tennessee Traffic Rule 2025 Update: Understanding the Right Turn on Red Rule

Tennessee Traffic Rule 2025 Update Understanding the Right Turn on Red Rule

As of January 2025, Tennessee has not implemented any changes to the “Right Turn on Red” rule. The existing traffic laws in Tennessee still allow drivers to make a right turn at a red light after coming to a complete stop, provided it is safe to do so and there are no signs prohibiting the turn.

However, it’s important to note that there is a growing trend in some U.S. cities to reconsider or modify this rule:

  1. Washington D.C. approved a “right on red” ban in 2023, set to take effect in 2025.
  2. Ann Arbor, Michigan has prohibited right turns on red lights in its downtown area.
  3. Other major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Denver have been considering similar changes.

While these changes are primarily occurring in larger urban areas, there’s no indication that Tennessee is planning to adopt such restrictions statewide or in its major cities as of early 2025.

Safety Considerations

Even though the right turn on red rule remains in effect in Tennessee, drivers should always prioritize safety:

  1. Come to a complete stop before turning.
  2. Yield to pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming traffic.
  3. Check for any signs prohibiting right turns on red at specific intersections.
  4. Be aware that local ordinances may have additional restrictions.

Other Traffic Law Updates in Tennessee

While the right turn on red rule hasn’t changed, Tennessee has implemented several new traffic and safety-related laws in 2025:

  1. Increased penalties for drag racing, now classified as a Class E felony.
  2. Stricter punishments for assaulting police officers, with increased fines and mandatory minimum sentences.
  3. New regulations against intentionally blocking roads, now a Class D felony.

Drivers in Tennessee should stay informed about these and other traffic law updates to ensure compliance and maintain road safety.

Sources:

  1. https://www.clickorlando.com/traffic/2023/05/23/ask-trooper-steve-can-you-make-a-u-turn-on-a-red-light-if-the-coast-is-clear/
  2. https://nashvillebanner.com/2025/01/03/tennessee-legislature-issues-2025/
  3. https://hot975fm.com/is-north-dakota-getting-rid-of-right-turn-on-red/
  4. https://www.newschannel5.com/news/several-new-tennessee-laws-are-taking-effect-today-here-are-a-few-you-should-know-about