No turns on steady red arrows begins Friday; new Nebraska law mirrors federal standard

A traffic light in downtown Lincoln displays a steady red arrow. Similar to left-turn lanes, Nebraska drivers can't legally turn right if there is a red arrow showing. July 19, 2024. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN — A new Nebraska law clarifies that drivers can’t legally turn right on steady red arrows in the state, which mirrors standards that had already been in place nationwide.

On Friday, a legal change offered this spring by the Nebraska Department of Transportation officially brought state traffic signal laws to the same level as the federal Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The federal manual specifies no right turns on steady red arrows, or left turns if turning onto a one-way street.

“It only deals with arrows,” Jeni Campana, Nebraska DOT’s public relations manager, said this week. “It does not deal with ‘a red ball,’ as we refer to it.”

“If you’re still facing a red ball and there’s no additional signage that states ‘No turn on red,’ then you’re still permitted to take a right turn on red after stopping,” added Dan Carpenter, manager of traffic engineering for Lincoln Transportation and Utilities.

All drivers must come to a complete stop when they see a red arrow until they get an indication they can proceed. Drivers stopped at a red ball can proceed once it is safe to do so.

Lincoln had a city ordinance specifying the pattern years ago before the Nebraska Supreme Court invalidated the ordinance in 2022.

Nebraskans might still see signs specifying they can’t turn on red at certain intersections, and Carpenter said some will remain “as primarily a driver education tool.” However, others might come down.

Any new steady red arrow traffic signal will prohibit turns on red even if there is no signage.

LTU Director Elizabeth Elliot, in a February legislative hearing, said her team would step up education efforts to inform drivers about the change if it was adopted. State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara introduced Legislative Bill 966 on the department’s behalf.

The traffic signal change was amended into LB 1200, which passed 47-0.

The law also clarifies use of flashing yellow arrows, which had been mostly used in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island and along the state highway system. Lincoln has had the change for about six to seven years.

Carpenter said the signal means drivers can enter an intersection to turn left but must yield to oncoming traffic or conflicting pedestrians. Green arrows indicate a safe right of way.

When faced with a steady yellow arrow, drivers should complete their turn if they have legally entered the intersection or wait until the next signal to proceed.

“Drivers took a while to get used to it, but now it’s extensively deployed throughout the city and we think that there’s a good impact to safety,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter said the changes will aid drivers’ safety but they should still buckle up, pay attention and look for others on Nebraska roadways.

“I think the big thing for drivers is simplifying the driving experience and unifying the rules,” Carpenter said of the law change. “We think that’s a great benefit for the drivers of Nebraska.”

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