GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

S	1 

SENATE BILL 281

Short Title:  Left Turn on Red.	(Public)

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Senators Odom; Dannelly, Foxx, and Winner.

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Judiciary.

─────────────────────────────────────── 

March 3, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ALLOW LEFT TURNS ON RED IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 20-158(b)(2) reads as rewritten:
"(2)	Vehicles facing a red light controlling traffic passing straight through an intersection from a steady or strobe beam stoplight shall not enter the intersection while the steady or strobe beam stoplight is emitting a red light controlling traffic passing straight through an intersection; provided:
a.	Except where prohibited by an appropriate sign, vehicular traffic facing a red light controlling traffic passing straight through an intersection, after coming to a complete stop at the intersection, may enter the intersection to make a right turn but the turning vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and to other traffic using the intersection; or
b.	Except where prohibited by an appropriate sign, vehicular traffic that is:
1.	In the leftmost lane of travel on a one-way street;
2.	Facing a red light; and
3.	At an intersection with another one-way street with traffic travelling from right to left
	may enter the intersection and make a left turn into the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic.  The turning vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and to other traffic using the intersection.
	When the stoplight is emitting a steady yellow circular light on a traffic signal controlling traffic passing straight through an intersection or a steady yellow arrow light on a traffic signal controlling traffic turning at an intersection, vehicles facing the yellow light are warned that the related green light is being terminated or a red light will be immediately forthcoming.  When the stoplight is emitting a steady green light, vehicles may proceed with due care through the intersection subject to the rights of pedestrians and other vehicles as may otherwise be provided by law."
Section 2.  This act becomes effective December 1, 1997.