The “Red Rule” concerning the right turn on red light in New Hampshire in 2025 follows the standard for most U.S. states: drivers may legally make a right turn at a red light after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic, unless a sign explicitly prohibits such a turn.
Key Points of New Hampshire Right Turn on Red Law 2025
- Drivers must come to a complete stop at the marked limit line or before entering the crosswalk or intersection before making a right turn on red.
- After stopping, drivers may proceed to turn right cautiously if the way is clear of oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
- There must be no signage prohibiting a right turn on red at the intersection, as certain intersections may restrict this maneuver for safety reasons.
- Drivers must yield the right of way to both vehicles and pedestrians lawfully using the intersection or crosswalk.
- The law applies generally to motor vehicles; a 2025 bill (HB 249) also allows bicyclists to treat red lights as yield signs, permitting cautious right turns on red after yielding.
- Pedestrian control signals override the right turn permission; if a pedestrian is signaled to cross, drivers must wait.
Safety and Enforcement
- While right on red is legal where permitted, drivers must exercise caution to avoid endangering pedestrians or other road users.
- Some urban areas nationally have considered or enacted bans on right turn on red due to pedestrian safety concerns, but New Hampshire continues to allow it with usual yield rules.
New Hampshire’s 2025 traffic laws uphold the typical nationwide right turn on red rule—stop first, yield to pedestrians and traffic, and proceed with caution unless a sign says otherwise.
Sources
(https://www.carparts.com/blog/is-turning-right-on-red-legal/)
(https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2023/title-xxi/chapter-265/section-265-10/)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_on_red)
(https://legiscan.com/NH/text/HB249/id/3041526/New_Hampshire-2025-HB249-Introduced.html)
(https://www.reddit.com/r/newhampshire/comments/1begatt/whats_up_with_folks_not_turning_right_on_red/)
