Atlanta has installed “No Turn on Red” signs in parts of the city ahead of the World Cup.
The signs were added at several busy intersections downtown and Midtown over the past few weeks, as city officials look to decrease crashes and protect pedestrians — especially as soccer fans flock to the city for the World Cup.
There were 27 crashes between 2013 and 2022 linked to drivers turning right at red lights that resulted in death or severe injury, according to data obtained by CBS News.
While the right turn on red ban wasn’t enacted solely for the World Cup — the city ordinance calling for the ban passed over a year ago — the timing will be helpful for international visitors who are not accustomed to cars turning on red lights, Councilmember Michael Julian Bond said.
“We’re going to have a tremendous amount of pedestrian traffic because of the World Cup,” Bond said, according to Fox 5 Atlanta, noting that the new rules could “absolutely” save lives.
Pedestrian advocates say the change allows people to walk, bike and ride scooters throughout the city without the constant worry of getting hit by a car.
Dan Hourigan with the pedestrian advocacy group Midtown Alliance lauded the change, noting the new rule is beneficial not just with the massive crowds expected to hit the city this summer, but year-round.
“This is what people want. They want to be able to walk, scoot, bike in midtown without fear of getting hit by a car.” He said.
Hourigan noted the new rule was great “especially when we’ve got hundreds of thousands of people coming to our city.”
In addition to making things easier for tourists, Atlanta residents are also getting excited about the change.
Midtown resident Steven Dravo told Fox 5 that roads have become increasingly busy in the area — and that more and more drivers aren’t paying attention to pedestrians in crosswalks.
“With the number of people coming into midtown and downtown, it’s a good thing all around,” Dravo said.
It was not immediately clear how many intersections received the new signs, which have been getting installed over the past year.
A citation for turning right on red can cost drivers up to $265.
