ASK A TROOPER: Right turn on red at Arrowhead and 53 is legal, but perhaps unsafe

Q: When driving east on Arrowhead Road and approaching Highway 53, there is a right turn lane toward the Miller Hill Mall. When the light is red at Highway 53 in my direction can I still make a right turn when the west-bound approaching traffic on Arrowhead Road is turning left, on green turn arrow, also onto Highway 53 toward the mall area?

A: Highway 53 has two lanes for traffic in that area and I think I understand where you may be going with this question. The quick answer is yes, you can make a right turn if you first stop at the red light with your vehicle in the proper position, yield to traffic and pedestrians, and turn into the right lane.

The challenge that I see with this is the approaching traffic turning left on a green turn arrow. When making the left turn, drivers are required to turn into the closest lane, which would be the left lane of Highway 53. Very often in this situation, many drivers become lazy or complacent and make the turn into the far right lane. Very often these drivers are headed toward Walmart and Mall Drive needing to make a right turn shortly. Instead of turning into the left lane, then changing lanes to the right when safe, they immediately make the turn improperly to the far right lane.

As a defensive driver you have to be aware of these situations when deciding to make that right turn. Don’t put yourself and passengers in an unsafe position and anticipate what other drivers may potentially do.

Sgt. Mark Baker is a member of the Minnesota State Patrol.