It’s not a change “now”, it was when the rule was implemented. From the article I’m sure you read before posting:
It’s unclear that right-on-red did much of anything to reduce gas consumption, but it had a sizable effect on roadway safety. A 1982 study found that the new policy triggered a sharp increase in crashes involving conflicts between a pedestrian or cyclist and a right-turning vehicle. In Ohio, for instance, such collisions rose 57% for pedestrians and 80% for cyclists; in Wisconsin, the figures were 107% and 72%, respectively.
And this is the study linked in that paragraph.
Right on red does work, that’s why UPS and other delivery companies prioritize it. They save 10’s of thousands of cars worth of gas a year. Not only that, but any meaningful study would include congestion statistics of additional right-turning cars.
Don’t know about other cities, but the bike issue wouldn’t apply since they wouldn’t cross paths. Well… I guess now they do actually post-construction. Guess that adds to the cognitive load the author talked about.
All in all, I’m not a journalist, and I can only point out results of these measures as I’ve witnessed. What I have experienced is much more congestion due to cars unable to leave the main flow of traffic. I can not enphesize it enough; It’s significant
Just make eye contact peeps. Seriously. Problem solved.
