Indianapolis Right-Turn-on-Red Ban Faces Challenge

A state senator has introduced a bill that would reverse the Indianapolis law and prevent other Indiana cities from instituting similar bans.

1 minute read

January 9, 2024, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Overhead traffic light with green light on and white "No turn on red" sign.

Gabriele Maltinti / Adobe Stock

An Indiana state senator wants to reverse a ban on right turns on red in downtown Philadelphia passed by the city council last year as an effort to improve traffic safety, reports Matt Christy for Fox 59.

According to Christy, “[Senator Aaron] Freeman argued that banning right turns on red lights in downtown Indianapolis would create traffic congestion and longer waits. He also suggested the bill was ‘forcing people to ride a bus service.’”

The no-turn-on-red policy was passed after “The Indianapolis Department of Public Works presented a five-year study that showed, in part, that nearly 57% of pedestrian crashes in the downtown core happened due to vehicles not yielding to people crossing the road.”

Freeman’s proposed bill would also bar other Indiana cities from adopting similar policies banning right turns on red.

Thursday, January 4, 2024 in Fox 59

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15 - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

April 15 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

April 15 - NBC Dallas