This article was written by Susan Rosenthal. It has been guest-edited by Adrienne So.
Given policy discussed last month at Portland City Council that could ban right turn on red for drivers at another 200 intersections, it behooves bicycle riders to know more about this traffic policy.
Right Turn on Red Laws (RTOR) allow motorists to make right turns on red lights after coming to a full stop. The motorist is required to yield to pedestrians and cyclists who are in the right of way. In 1947, California was the first state to allow RTOR. Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona followed suit in the 1950s, with other states gradually adopting the practice through the 1970s…