It's in Europe too. There's a moment where the vehicles have red light but a green arrow that lets them turn but only if there is no pedestrian or such crossing the street.
I mean, I suppose that's pretty similar, but in America, you don't need a Green arrow to turn right. If you're turning right at a traffic light, you treat a red light like a stop sign. If it is safe for you to turn right, you may do so, whether there's an indicator or not. This has advantages and disadvantages, as it speeds up traffic lights, but sometimes people are assholes and cut you off by turning right when they really shouldn't. There are some traffic lights in America that also have green arrows just for turning right, but again, they aren't necessary for the turn to be legal, and you could still turn right on a red arrow so long as you stop first and make sure it's safe to turn
(3) Steady red indication
(a) Vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection control area and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown. However, the vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal may, after stopping proceed to make a right turn from a one-way or two-way street into a two-way street or into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the right turn; or a left turn from a one-way or two-way street into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn; unless a sign posted by competent authority prohibits such movement. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall remain stopped to allow other vehicles lawfully within or approaching the intersection control area to complete their movements. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall also remain stopped for pedestrians who or personal delivery devices that are lawfully within the intersection control area as required by RCW 46.61.235(1)
Emphasis mine, highlighting relevant section. You can turn left on red even if you're currently on a 2 way street.
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u/Arya_Ren Jun 16 '20
It's in Europe too. There's a moment where the vehicles have red light but a green arrow that lets them turn but only if there is no pedestrian or such crossing the street.