Practice question

When making a right turn on a red light, what is required of you?

  1. You can turn without stopping if it's safe
  2. Come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic
  3. Proceed cautiously without stopping
  4. Use your turn signal before acting

Answer: B — Come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic

When making a right turn on a red light, the law requires that you come to a complete stop before proceeding. This action is crucial for ensuring the safety of pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Yielding to pedestrians is especially important, as they have the right of way, and failing to do so can result in serious accidents. Additionally, yielding to oncoming traffic is necessary to prevent collisions. Even though you may have the opportunity to turn right on red, stopping and assessing the situation helps make sure that the turn can be made safely and in accordance with traffic laws. This approach reinforces the principle of defensive driving, which prioritizes awareness of all road users.

Practice more: New Mexico DMV Drivers Practice Test →