Can I make a left turn at a red light onto a one-way street? Here’s 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, is it 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.
A red arrow means you need a green 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 no signs or authority are 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.
This story was originally published September 24, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
