Proposed Bill to Allow Right Turns on Red Lights in Staten Island
In a move aimed at alleviating traffic woes, Staten Island City Councilman Frank Morano introduced a bill on Thursday that would permit drivers to make right turns at red lights. He argues that this change could reduce congestion and cut down on commute times.
Currently, in New York City, turning right at a red light is illegal unless there’s a sign allowing it. This contrasts with practices in other regions of New York State where such turns are common.
“Staten Islanders spend far too long waiting at empty intersections where a right turn could be made safely,” Morano said in a recent statement.
Morano believes the bill is based on “data and common sense, not guesswork.”
The councilman posits that allowing these turns would not only decrease congestion but also lower emissions and significantly shorten travel times. This traffic regulation was established in 1977 to help save energy and cut pollution from idling cars, as noted in a report from the New York Times at that time.
Currently, certain intersections in Staten Island permit right turns on red, but the New York City Department of Transportation mandates traffic studies for any new intersections where this might be considered.
Morano’s legislation, known as intro 1469, would require the DOT to conduct feasibility and safety studies before allowing right turns on red at traffic-controlled signals throughout the borough.
“Staten Islanders deserve that efficiency at intersections where it’s safe to turn right on red,” he remarked.
He added that where it is not safe, it should remain off-limits, emphasizing a straightforward approach.
The proposed study would take into account the patterns of larger vehicles and assess their effect on other road users—like pedestrians and cyclists—as well as environmental considerations.
Morano’s bill also includes a timeline for the DOT to provide an update within six months, followed by a complete report within a year.
The bill has been referred to the City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has already gained support from Staten Island representatives David M. Carr and Camilla Hanks.
“This is a practical bill that will help improve transportation in a borough that relies heavily on cars for mobility,” Carr stated.
In a joint statement, Morano and Carr criticized New York City’s standardized traffic regulations, arguing that Staten Island has unique traffic conditions and a large number of drivers. Data shows that nearly 85% of Staten Island households own a car, a stark contrast to 63% of households in Queens and just 44% in Brooklyn, based on findings from Hunter College’s Hunter Urban Policy and Planning.
“For far too long, Staten Islanders have faced unnecessary limits on our main modes of transportation,” Carr said. “Now is the time to take meaningful action and improve road conditions across the island.”
