Question: When is it legal to turn left on a red light?

A: While drivers in Oregon are allowed to make a right turn on a red light into one-way or two-way streets, the same rules do not apply to left turns.

The Oregon State Vehicle Code states it is legal to turn left on a red light if a driver is turning with the direction of traffic into a one-way street.  Turning left into a two-way street against a red light is a violation of the law, subject to citation with a $242 fine.

The 2007-09 Oregon Driver Manual outlines the correct way to make a left turn against a red light from a one-way street into another one-way street. The manual states drivers are to turn from the lane closest to the left curb. After stopping at the light, yielding to traffic and pedestrians, turn into the closest available lane next to the left curb.

Drivers may also turn left against a red light from a two-way street into a one-way street. After stopping and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, turn from the lane of traffic closest to the direction of the turn and enter the first available lane nearest the left curb.

According to the State Vehicle Code, a left turn on a red light into a one-way street is illegal if a driver:

* fails to come to a stop at the light;

* fails to exercise care to avoid an accident;

* disobeys the directions of a traffic control device or a police officer who prohibits the turn; and

* fails to yield right of way to other cars in the intersection or close enough to the intersection that turning could cause an accident.

— Staff Writer Jolene Guzman