New Jersey’s 2025 Traffic Shake-Up: What the Right Turn on Red Change Means for Drivers

As part of a major update to its traffic laws, New Jersey is introducing significant changes in 2025, specifically regarding the longstanding rule of allowing right turns on red. The shift aims to improve traffic flow, enhance safety, and reduce congestion in urban and suburban areas.

However, this change will have a noticeable impact on how drivers navigate the state’s streets.

Here’s everything you need to know about New Jersey’s updated right-turn-on-red policy and what it means for drivers.

What’s Changing?

As of 2025, New Jersey is implementing a new restriction on right turns at red lights. Previously, drivers could turn right on red unless a sign specifically prohibited it. Under the new law, drivers will only be allowed to make a right turn on red when a green arrow is displayed or if there is a designated sign indicating that a right turn on red is permitted. In other words, right turns on red will no longer be the default behavior at every intersection where it was previously allowed.

The goal of this change is to curb unsafe turns, reduce traffic accidents at intersections, and ensure a smoother flow of vehicles, particularly in busy areas where right turns on red can often lead to collisions or close calls.

Why the Change?

The decision to revise the rule comes after years of discussions and studies about traffic safety and efficiency. The state’s Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has cited multiple reasons for the shift:

1. Safety Concerns: In busy urban centers like Newark, Jersey City, and Trenton, right turns on red can sometimes lead to dangerous accidents, especially when drivers fail to notice pedestrians or cyclists crossing the street. The new rule is designed to reduce these risks by limiting the times when a right turn on red is allowed.
2. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety: With the increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic, particularly in city areas, the new law aims to minimize situations where a driver making a right turn on red could fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
3. Traffic Flow: By limiting the right-turn-on-red opportunities to situations where it’s most appropriate and safe, New Jersey hopes to better control congestion and improve traffic flow at high-volume intersections. This is especially true for intersections near schools, hospitals, and busy commercial areas.

How Will This Affect Drivers?

For many New Jersey drivers, the change may initially feel like an inconvenience, especially for those accustomed to making right turns on red at almost every intersection. However, there are some practical implications to consider:

• More Cautious Driving: Drivers will need to pay more attention to road signs and traffic lights. The new law will require extra caution, as turning on red will no longer be a reflexive action. Drivers will need to ensure they’re not turning unless it’s safe, and they must be vigilant about checking for pedestrians or cyclists before turning.
• Fewer Potential Stops: On the flip side, some drivers might find that fewer right-turn-on-red opportunities will lead to fewer stops at certain intersections. In areas with heavy traffic, this could result in smoother transitions through the intersection, with fewer conflicts between turning drivers and pedestrians.
• Increased Awareness of Signs: Expect to see more signs around intersections indicating whether right turns on red are allowed. These signs will be critical in helping drivers adapt to the new rules and avoid potential fines for making an illegal right turn on red.
• Potential for Traffic Delays: In some instances, drivers might experience longer wait times at red lights, especially in heavily trafficked areas. The change could create more delays at intersections that once had a quicker right-turn-on-red option.

What Should Drivers Do to Prepare?

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To adjust to the new rule, New Jersey drivers can take several steps:

1. Stay Informed: Be mindful of changes in signage at intersections and stay updated on local news about the implementation of the new law. Familiarize yourself with the updated traffic regulations, particularly in areas you frequent.
2. Focus on Pedestrian and Cyclist Awareness: With more pedestrian and bicycle traffic in many areas, it’s important for drivers to be vigilant before turning at any intersection—whether on red or green.
3. Plan for Extra Travel Time: If you’re navigating busy city streets, be prepared for the possibility of additional delays. In areas with frequent red-light turns, these delays could impact your travel time, especially during rush hours.
4. Drive Defensively: Always assume that other drivers may not be fully aware of the changes. Be patient, stay alert, and give yourself ample time to react to sudden changes in traffic flow.

The Bigger Picture: Traffic Safety in New Jersey

This new policy is part of a broader movement in New Jersey to improve traffic safety and make the roads safer for all users—drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders. From traffic signal optimization to better pedestrian infrastructure, New Jersey is making strides in rethinking how traffic operates in its urban and suburban areas.

While the transition to these new rules may take some time, the changes are expected to lead to a safer driving environment and a more efficient transportation system in the long run. Drivers who stay informed, stay patient, and adapt to these changes will be better equipped to handle the new realities of the road.

New Jersey’s 2025 right-turn-on-red rule change is a significant shift aimed at improving traffic safety, reducing accidents, and enhancing the flow of traffic in busy areas.

While this will require some adjustment, particularly for drivers accustomed to turning right on red by default, it’s a step in the right direction toward creating safer, more efficient roadways. Stay alert, follow the new signs, and remember: safety is always the priority when navigating the Garden State’s roads.

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