Louisiana Traffic Law: Turning a Vehicle Right or Left on Red
A vehicle turning right at an intersection when facing a solid red light may do so after stopping completely and if there are no signs indicating that the right turn or right U-turn is impermissible. La. R.S. 23: 232(3)(c).
A vehicle may also turn left when facing a solid red light as long as no signs prohibit otherwise; it stops before executing the turn; and, it is turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. La. R.S. 23:232(3)(c). The logic behind this rule is that by turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street, there is less danger of being hit by oncoming traffic when turning; in this situation, a driver only has to worry about oncoming traffic coming from her right when making the left turn. Typically, however, left-hand turns are dangerous because crossing multiple lanes of oncoming traffic is involved, which requires a higher standard of care when turning left.
Drivers violating the above rules regardless of whether the violation results in an accident are subject to disregarding traffic signal tickets and improper turn tickets. Both violations could result in fines and increased car insurance premiums. For example, as of December 2022, the fine in Jefferson Parish for failure to yield or stop at a red light was $193.75.
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