Kentucky permits right turns on red after a full stop unless prohibited by signs, with no major 2025 updates altering this longstanding rule under KRS 189.338. Drivers must yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic, while left turns on red remain allowed only from one-way streets onto another one-way street.
Core Rule Explained
Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 189.338 allows vehicles facing a steady red signal to turn right after stopping at the marked line, crosswalk, or intersection if no sign bans it. A complete stop requires checking mirrors, yielding to all cross-traffic and pedestrians, then proceeding cautiously when clear. This rule, standard since the 1970s, promotes efficiency but demands vigilance to prevent T-bone crashes.
Left Turn Variations
Left turns on red follow similar steps but only apply when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street with traffic flowing the turn’s direction. Yielding remains mandatory; violations often lead to fault in accidents due to clear statutory limits.
Signage and Exceptions
“No turn on red” signs override permissions, erected by local ordinances or the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at high-risk intersections. Red arrows prohibit turns outright until green, unlike circular reds. Motorcycles gain a narrow exception to proceed after 120 seconds if sensors fail, but only absent approaching traffic.
Enforcement and Penalties
Violations like failing to stop or yield trigger tickets under KRS 189.330 or 189.338, with fines around $30-$150 plus court costs and 3-4 license points. Accidents shift liability to the turner if they ignored yield rules, impacting insurance rates. No 2025 changes introduced cameras or stricter measures beyond existing hands-free emphases.
Safety Best Practices
Scan left, right, and left again before turning; avoid encroachments into lanes. Pedestrians hold absolute right-of-way, even outside crosswalks in business districts. Dusk, rain, or distractions amplify risks, contributing to thousands of annual intersection collisions statewide.
2025 Update Status
Reviews through 2026 confirm no legislative shifts to right-on-red; focus stays on red-light cameras in select cities and DUI enforcement. Local variations persist via county rules, but core statute endures unchanged.
SOURCES:
- https://www.drivinglaws.org/resources/kentucky-red-light-stop-sign-tickets.html
- https://www.grayandwhitelaw.com/kentucky-traffic-light-accidents-and-liability/
