Are you allowed to make a left turn at a red light in Ontario?

Making a left turn at a red light in Ontario is allowed only in specific situations, specifically from a one-way street onto another one-way street. This rule is in place to ensure that the turn is made safely, as it minimizes potential conflicts with oncoming traffic that would be present in a two-way street scenario.

When turning left on a red light from a one-way street, the driver must come to a complete stop, observe and yield to any pedestrians and vehicles that have the right of way, and only proceed when it is safe to do so. This law acknowledges the intersection design typically associated with one-way streets, where turning left onto another one-way street generally presents a lower risk to other road users.

It’s important to note that left turns on red are prohibited from two-way streets due to the increased danger posed by oncoming vehicles that could be approaching at the same time. This ensures a safer driving environment for everyone on the road.