"US Cities Contemplate Banning Right Turns on Red Amidst Soaring Pedestrian Fatalities"

As pedestrian and bicyclist accidents continue to rise, several U.S. cities are considering banning the practice of making right turns on red lights. Washington, D.C., has already approved a ban that will take effect in 2025, while other cities such as Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Denver are also exploring similar measures. Safety advocates argue that banning right turns on red will improve road safety, while critics claim it will inconvenience motorists and slow down traffic. The United States is one of the few major countries that generally allow right turns on red, and the practice was initially implemented in response to the energy crisis in the 1970s. However, concerns over pedestrian and cyclist safety have prompted a reevaluation of this policy.