Right turn on Red, with multiple lanes going right.

[Just-in]

I personally have always been confused over this issue. As a result when making a right turn if the light switches red I prefer to be in the furthermost right lane to make my turn on red if safe and permitted. However is it legal if no signs are posted prohibiting and it safe to proceed to turn right on a red from another lane than the one closest to the curb?

[Mongoblack23]

if they are both legal to turn from when the light is green, they are legal to turn from on a red after a complete stop is made first.

[mej16489]

It used to only be legal to make a right on a red from the 'right-most' lane, but now its as Mongo describes.

[Wolfie_AR]

if they are both legal to turn from when the light is green, they are legal to turn from on a red after a complete stop is made first.

Agreed.

[BretByron]

I do it.

[Spanky8601]

The lane has to allow you to make the right turn. Generally, the right turn must be started and completed from the right side. IF there are signs permitting a right turn from say the middle lane of 3 lanes then you can make the right turn on red, after stopping and making sure it is safe.

If the lane does not permit you to make a right turn (middle lane of 3) and there are no signs permitting the right turn from that lane on green then you cannot stop and make a right turn from that lane.

[tal3nt]

It absolutely infuriates me when inner right lane people freeze up until the light turns green

[Ken Woodford]

It absolutely infuriates me when inner right lane people freeze up until the light turns green

Me too. It's usually older people still driving when to turn on a red was illegal. I remember my parents talking about that "it's legal now".

Yes I am dating myself.

[axel4488]

The lane has to allow you to make the right turn. Generally, the right turn must be started and completed from the right side. IF there are signs permitting a right turn from say the middle lane of 3 lanes then you can make the right turn on red, after stopping and making sure it is safe.

If the lane does not permit you to make a right turn (middle lane of 3) and there are no signs permitting the right turn from that lane on green then you cannot stop and make a right turn from that lane.

You need to specify that painted road markings are considered signs, unless you want to look like a fool.

As long as the lane INDICATES that you can turn right from the lane, and it's legal to turn right on the red, go for it.

[Spanky8601]

You need to specify that painted road markings are considered signs, unless you want to look like a fool.

As long as the lane INDICATES that you can turn right from the lane, and it's legal to turn right on the red, go for it.

Here you go.

22100. Except as provided in Section 22100.5 or 22101, the driver
of any vehicle intending to turn upon a highway shall do so as
follows:
(a) Right Turns. Both the approach for a right-hand turn and a
right-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the
right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except:
(1) Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in
one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway
accommodating traffic in both directions, the driver of a vehicle in
the middle lane may turn right into any lane lawfully available to
traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered.
(2) If a right-hand turn is made from a one-way highway at an
intersection, a driver shall approach the turn as provided in this
subdivision and shall complete the turn in any lane lawfully
available to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being
entered.
(3) Upon a highway having an additional lane or lanes marked for a
right turn by appropriate signs or markings, the driver of a vehicle
may turn right from any lane designated and marked for that turning
movement.
(b) Left Turns. The approach for a left turn shall be made as
close as practicable to the left-hand edge of the extreme left-hand
lane or portion of the roadway lawfully available to traffic moving
in the direction of travel of the vehicle and, when turning at an
intersection, the left turn shall not be made before entering the
intersection. After entering the intersection, the left turn shall be
made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to
traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered,
except that upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic
moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway
accommodating traffic in both directions, the driver of a vehicle in
the middle lane may turn left into any lane lawfully available to
traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered.

[axel4488]

Sorry I just re-read my post. I did not mean to be snarky.