Right Turns on Red: Why Waterloo Region Wants to Ban Them at Busy Intersections
A Familiar Maneuver Under New Scrutiny
Turning right on a red light is second nature for most Ontario drivers. But the Region of Waterloo is now moving toward banning the maneuver at 12 major intersections — four each in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge — as part of a pilot aimed at protecting the people most at risk on our roads.
The locations were chosen using hard data: collision history, pedestrian volumes, and the number of right-turning vehicles.
Why Right-on-Red Is Risky for Pedestrians and Cyclists
When drivers turn right on red, their attention is usually fixed on the traffic coming from the left — not on the pedestrian or cyclist crossing in front of them. The numbers tell the story. According to the Region of Waterloo:
- 89% of pedestrian collisions happen at signalized intersections
- 56% of pedestrians who are struck had the right of way
- 1 in 3 pedestrian collisions involve a turning vehicle
Banning right turns on red removes one of the most common points of conflict. As Parachute Canada president Pamela Fuselli told CBC, the change “reduces the potential for interaction” between vehicles and people on foot or bike — giving pedestrians more time to cross safely.
What the Waterloo Region Pilot Involves
If approved, the pilot would run for at least a year, with staff collecting data on safety and traffic flow before reporting back to council in late 2027. The estimated cost is modest — about $21,600, within the approved 2026 transportation budget — and the region already has 19 right-on-red restrictions in place.
Regional councillors are also looking at leading pedestrian intervals, a signal-timing feature that gives people on foot a head start before vehicles get a green light.
A Minor Delay for Drivers, a Major Difference for Safety
For most drivers, the change means waiting a few extra seconds. For a pedestrian or cyclist, those seconds can prevent a life-altering injury. As communities across the Waterloo Region grow denser, measures like these reflect a broader push to make busy intersections safer for everyone who uses them.
When a Turning Vehicle Hits a Pedestrian or Cyclist
A right-turning vehicle may be moving slowly, but a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist can still cause serious harm — broken bones, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injury. When that happens, fault often turns on who had the right of way and whether the driver was paying attention.
If you’ve been hurt, seek medical care right away, document the scene if you can, and collect the driver’s and any witnesses’ information.
We’re Here to Help
At Harris Law, we represent pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers injured in collisions across the Waterloo Region and beyond. If you or a loved one has been hurt at an intersection, contact Harris Law for a free consultation.
