Kentucky’s traffic rule for making a right turn on red in 2025 remains consistent with longstanding state regulations. Drivers are allowed to make a right turn at a red traffic light unless there is a posted sign explicitly prohibiting a turn on red at that intersection. However, before turning, motorists must come to a complete stop and yield to all pedestrians and oncoming traffic to ensure it is safe to proceed. This stop-and-yield requirement is strictly enforced to avoid collisions and promote safety.
Kentucky law also allows, under similar stop-and-yield conditions, a left turn on red if the driver is turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street moving in the left direction, provided no prohibiting signage is present.
Accidents occurring at intersections involving right turn on red can have nuanced liability rulings. While a driver making the right turn typically bears responsibility if they fail to stop fully, do not use a turn signal, or disregard incoming traffic, fault may also lie with other drivers who run red lights or engage in unsafe behaviors like speeding or distracted driving. Additionally, Kentucky law mandates the use of headlights in low visibility, and failure to do so in such conditions may influence liability in an accident.
Despite some misconceptions, running a red light is prohibited and there is no provision allowing drivers to run a red light after waiting a certain time. Motorcycles have limited exceptions involving sensor-triggering issues at traffic lights but still must adhere to the stop-and-yield rule for right and left turns on red.
The practical legal advice for Kentucky drivers is to always come to a complete stop, observe all signage, yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic, and make right turns on red only when it is clearly safe and lawful.
This rule continues to be part of Kentucky’s effort to balance efficient traffic flow with public safety and enforcement efforts to reduce intersection-related accidents.
Sources
[1] https://www.dickmanlawoffice.com/car-accidents/determining-responsibility-in-right-turn-on-red-car-accidents/
[2] https://www.grayandwhitelaw.com/kentucky-traffic-light-accidents-and-liability/
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/legal/comments/152stnh/when_can_you_run_a_red_light_in_kentucky/
[4] https://www.fortwrightky.gov/2023/12/04/traffic-enforcement-notice/
[5] https://injury.elpolaw.com/practice-areas/car-accidents/hit-by-a-driver-who-ran-a-red-light/
