Coral Springs Drivers: Yes, You Can Turn Right on a Red Arrow (Usually)

If you’ve noticed the new red right-arrow signals at Wiles Rd & University Dr (three corners), you’re not imagining the confusion. Lots of drivers are stopping…and then waiting forever, which triggers the symphony of honking behind them.

I spoke with Coral Springs resident Steve S .   He told me that he was stopped by a policeman when he made a right turn on a red arrow.  The policeman gave him a warning. The policeman was obviously from New York – since it is illegal to make a right turn on a red arrow in New York.  However here in Florida it is perfectly legal.

Broward County Traffic Engineering Department ( feel free to click on the link and harass them if you wish) is responsible for the signal lights on county streets including WIles road and University.   3 of the 4 corners at this busy intersection have the Red Light Arrow.  I have not seen it in any other part of the city.

Maybe they ran out of regular lights and had the arrow in stock ? Normally the arrow is illuminated by an LED light that is behind the lens.  Most Arrows that we see in our city have only a GREEN light behind them and they only illuminate when the traffic indicator allows you to make a right turn while the right turn is being made at the opposite corner.

Either Green or nothing.  If nothing, then you simply make a stop on the solid red and turn right if clear.

The arrow illuminated in red is designed to make us feel stupid as we sit at the corner waiting for the light to change while engaging in social language with the driver of the car behind.

Here’s the rule that matters in Florida:

• After a complete stop, you may turn right on a red arrow if the way is clear—unless a sign says “NO TURN ON RED.” This comes straight from Florida law and FDOT guidance. Florida SenateFDOT

A couple of important add-ons:

• You must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and any traffic with the right-of-way. Florida Senate

• Florida also allows a left turn on red only when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and when clear. (Not the case for most legs of Wiles/University, but good to know.) Florida Senate

Why the confusion?

Many folks in Coral Springs learned to drive in New York, where a red arrow means no turn at all—right or left—until it turns green. That’s the NY DMV rule statewide (and remember, NYC also bans most right-on-red even on circular reds unless a sign permits it). NY DMV

What to do at Wiles & University

1. Stop fully at the line.

2. Scan for people in the crosswalk and oncoming traffic.

3. If clear and no “NO TURN ON RED” sign is posted, make the right turn.

4. If you’re not turning right, don’t block the right-turn lane if there is room for others to pass.