Iowa maintains its longstanding right-turn-on-red rule with no statewide changes reported for 2026. Drivers must still stop fully at red lights and yield before proceeding, unless signs prohibit it.
Core Right-Turn Rule
Iowa Code §321.257 allows a right turn after a complete stop at a steady circular red light, provided no sign bans it. Drivers yield to pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming traffic, entering from the right lane or a designated right-turn lane. Left turns on red remain limited to one-way streets onto another one-way street, also after yielding.
This rule, standard since the 1970s energy crisis, prioritizes caution amid rising pedestrian safety concerns. Local cities like Pella and West Des Moines post “No Turn on Red” signs at high-risk spots, overriding state permission.
2026 Update Status
No legislative updates altered §321.257 as of January 2026; the law persists unchanged from prior years. Discussions in urban areas mirror national trends toward bans for safety, but Iowa enforces existing signage rather than statewide prohibition. Pedestrian deaths linked to right-on-red remain low federally, yet local enforcement ramps up via tickets for failures to yield.
Fines for violations start at $125 plus court costs, escalating with accidents. Youth drivers in education programs should note this for safe habits in community or construction-related travel.
Safety Requirements
- Full stop mandatory: Position behind the crosswalk; rolling stops draw tickets.
- Yield priority: Pedestrians in crosswalks or nearby have absolute right-of-way.
- Clear intersection: Proceed only if safe; interfering with traffic voids permission.
- Sign obedience: “No Right Turn on Red” signs make it illegal statewide.
Accidents from improper turns often assign fault to the turner, impacting insurance for professionals commuting via highways.
National Context
Iowa aligns with most states permitting right-on-red unless posted otherwise. Exceptions include New York City’s full ban and emerging restrictions in San Francisco, driven by 10 federal pedestrian fatalities (2018-2022) tied to the maneuver. Iowa’s approach balances fuel efficiency with localized safety tweaks.
Enforcement Insights
Police use dashcams and witness statements for citations, emphasizing education over punishment for first offenses. For content creators covering youth mentorship or health drives, highlight defensive driving to cut risks on Iowa roads.
SOURCES:
- https://www.drivinglaws.org/resources/iowa-red-light-stop-sign-tickets.html)
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Iowa/comments/12e7t9y/are_rights_on_red_required_questions_about/
