Introduction of Right-Turn Traffic Lights... Will Road Confusion Decrease?

Right Turn Only When Green Arrow Shows
Concerns Over Potential Traffic Congestion

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] With the revision of the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Rules, 'right-turn traffic lights' will be officially introduced starting from the 22nd. This measure aims to prevent frequent right-turn traffic accidents, but concerns about worsening traffic congestion have also been raised.

According to the revised Road Traffic Act Enforcement Rules, from the 22nd, drivers can only make right turns at locations where right-turn traffic lights are installed when the green arrow signal is on. Right turns are prohibited during red signals. Even at locations without right-turn traffic lights, drivers must come to a complete stop before making a right turn when the forward vehicle traffic light is red.

The amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which has been in effect since July 12 last year, imposed a duty to stop temporarily on drivers when pedestrians are crossing or about to cross. From now on, regardless of the presence of pedestrians, drivers must stop at red signals.

On July 12 last year, the first day of the enforcement of the amended Road Traffic Act strengthening pedestrian protection obligations such as stopping temporarily in front of crosswalks, a right-turning vehicle stopped on the road near Seoul Station. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Violating this rule may result in a fine of up to 200,000 KRW or detention for less than 30 days (police detention center incarceration) under the Road Traffic Act. However, the police plan to have a three-month guidance period before deciding on enforcement.

Right-turn traffic lights have been piloted since September last year at 15 locations under the jurisdiction of eight city and provincial police agencies nationwide. As a result, pedestrian safety has significantly improved with the installation of right-turn traffic lights. The compliance rate for stopping before right turns was only 10.3% before installation, but it rose to 89.7% afterward.

Until now, unlike left turns, right turns did not have separate signals, which was a cause of frequent traffic accidents. The police expect that expanding the installation of right-turn traffic lights will also have a significant effect in reducing traffic accidents. However, since frequent changes in right-turn related regulations may cause confusion among many people, sufficient public awareness campaigns are necessary.

Some critics argue that if right-turn traffic lights are installed all over the roads, they could hinder smooth traffic flow and worsen congestion.

Professor Yoo Jung-hoon of the Department of Traffic Systems Engineering at Ajou University advised, "Right-turn traffic lights are suitable for installation on roads with heavy traffic and many pedestrian crosswalk users where accident risks are high. Even now, some major roads have right-turn traffic lights." He added, "Expanding installation to areas with low traffic volume causes unnecessary signal waiting and obstructs traffic flow. Installation should be done carefully."