Right turns on a red light, after stopping are now prohibited at East and Tehama Street. The City of Redding in cooperation with Cal-Trans posted “No Right Turn on Red” signs for traffic traveling northbound on East Street at the Tehama Street intersection (near Shasta Regional Medical Center). The signs are clearly visible and posted on the overhead signal mast for north bound East Street as well as on the right side of the roadway as you approach the intersection. The reason for the turn restriction is to reduce conflicts between pedestrians crossing East Street and/or Tehama Street (State Route 44) and traffic turning right at the intersection. Recent roadway improvements prevent pedestrians from illegally crossing Tehama Street mid-block, east of the intersection and force them to use the crosswalk.
Motorists typically have to look to their left to observe east bound traffic when making a right-on-red maneuver. This east bound traffic is generally accelerating through this intersection preparing to enter State Route 44. When this occurs, motorists often lose track of pedestrian activity to the right of their vehicle at the crosswalk.
Due to the number of reports from pedestrians, as well as actual observations by Redding Police Department Traffic Officers of “close calls” of vehicle versus pedestrian collisions at this intersection, the City of Redding Traffic Engineering and Cal-Trans elected to prohibit the right turn-on-red option to improve pedestrian safety at this intersection.
Additionally, Caltrans modified the traffic signal timing to provide a lead pedestrian interval prior to the light turning green for northbound East
Street traffic. This allows pedestrians an opportunity to start walking and establish a pedestrian right of way in the crosswalk before motorists can begin their turn. When making a right turn after the signal turns green, motorists are still required to yield to pedestrians already in the crosswalk before proceeding.
The Redding Police Department Traffic Unit will be providing enforcement in this area during peak traffic periods. The applicable California Vehicle Code Section for this violation is 21453 (b) which states in part; A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown…. when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, no turn shall be made…. The minimum fine for this violation in Shasta County for a first time traffic offender is $225.00 and is considered a moving violation.
Remember to be alert and drive safely.
Contact: Mike Woods #191
Traffic Specialist
Redding Police Department
530-225-4230
Approved: LT. Tracy Beaupre #620
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