No...Never make a left turn on a red light.

No exceptions to this rule.

Huh. I learned something in this thread - thank you DCUM!

I have always learned that it is legal to:
1. Turn left from a one-way onto another one-way if the light is red. Never had any idea that is illegal in DC (I live in VA). With the prevalence of one-way streets in DC, this is good info!
2. Pull partway into the intersection when the light is green or yellow, wait for traffic, then finish the turn after the light turns red. Still sounds like this is acceptable practice. However, in a couple of rare cases, I've been stuck in an uncomfortable position doing this: I'm sitting in the middle of the intersection waiting to turn, my light turns red, but the oncoming traffic doesn't - they keep their green light and get a green arrow. So I have to sit in the intersection waiting while my light stays red, waiting for their light to turn red, but of course I can't see their light. By the time the oncoming traffic comes to a complete stop and I know I can make it, the cross traffic is getting a green light. Yikes.

Anonymous wrote:I try to remember not to do it in DC.

I also pull out into the intersection when making a left, and often wait until the light has turned and traffic has cleared, before being able to turn.

you have to do this at a ton of intersections around here, or nobody would get anywhere. i hate people who are too timid to do that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do it all the time.

Same for red left turn arrows if no traffic is coming.

Wait, you turn on a red arrow?

If I am sitting in a left turn lane with a red arrow and there is no oncoming traffic, I go ahead and go. Every time unless there is a police care directly behind me.

A camera is going to get you one of these days. There doesn't have to be a police car behind you anymore.

Maybe, but I doubt it. I drive the same route every day and know the camera spots.

I've definitely done it with police waiting at the light at the cross street. To someone sitting at perpendicular red light, it appears like just making a perfectly safe and legal left turn.

Not if that person knows that intersection well and knows the order of the arrows and lights.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do it all the time.

Same for red left turn arrows if no traffic is coming.

Wait, you turn on a red arrow?

If I am sitting in a left turn lane with a red arrow and there is no oncoming traffic, I go ahead and go. Every time unless there is a police care directly behind me.

A camera is going to get you one of these days. There doesn't have to be a police car behind you anymore.

Maybe, but I doubt it. I drive the same route every day and know the camera spots.

I've definitely done it with police waiting at the light at the cross street. To someone sitting at perpendicular red light, it appears like just making a perfectly safe and legal left turn.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do it all the time.

Same for red left turn arrows if no traffic is coming.

Wait, you turn on a red arrow?

If I am sitting in a left turn lane with a red arrow and there is no oncoming traffic, I go ahead and go. Every time unless there is a police care directly behind me.

I will run a red light, if it's 2am and no other cars around. Running red lights/arrows as a matter of course? Don't do that.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, if you are on a one way street, and you are turning onto a one way street.

Unless you're in DC.

Yes, if you are on a one way street, and you are turning onto a one way street.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do it all the time.

Same for red left turn arrows if no traffic is coming.

Wait, you turn on a red arrow?

If I am sitting in a left turn lane with a red arrow and there is no oncoming traffic, I go ahead and go. Every time unless there is a police care directly behind me.

A camera is going to get you one of these days. There doesn't have to be a police car behind you anymore.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do it all the time.

Same for red left turn arrows if no traffic is coming.

Wait, you turn on a red arrow?

If I am sitting in a left turn lane with a red arrow and there is no oncoming traffic, I go ahead and go. Every time unless there is a police care directly behind me.

According to Dr. Gridlock, it's illegal in DC but legal in MD and VA.

Q: Left turn on red
Could you tell me whether it's legal in the District to make a left on red from one one-way street to another? Thanks -- haven't been able to find the answer myself.

A: Robert Thomson
Saw a driver do that last night on Capitol Hill. In Maryland and Virginia, drivers can make a left turn on red from a one-way street onto a one-way street, but it's illegal in DC.

From time to time, readers write in to ask about this, usually after they've been stopped at a light in DC and had a driver behind them honk for them to turn.

— JAN 24, 2011 12:09 EST
http://live.washingtonpost.com/gridlock-0124.html

Good information. I didn't know it was legal in MD. However, I am almost never turning left from a one-way to a one-way so my ignorance has never held anyone up.

Everything is illegal in DC. I'm surprised they allow left turns on green.

I try to remember not to do it in DC.

I also pull out into the intersection when making a left, and often wait until the light has turned and traffic has cleared, before being able to turn.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do it all the time.

Same for red left turn arrows if no traffic is coming.

Wait, you turn on a red arrow?

Do not turn on a red arrow.

But those who are saying that the left on red - only from a one-way to a one-way after a full stop and yielding to pedestrians - are correct. Just not allowed in DC.

Almost every day on my commute. Never get pulled over for it.