6 Times You Can Proceed On a Red Light

Becoming comfortable and complacent behind the wheel is easy to do after years of driving experience. However, safe and defensive drivers seek to broaden their knowledge base to better understand the road, and keep up-to-date with traffic rules and regulations.

In this post, we are going to expand on red-light procedures and 6 instances where we may proceed on a red light.

1. Turning Right at a Red Light

Due to the potentially dangerous nature of turning right on a red light, this maneuver is a permissive action, not a mandatory one. Drivers may turn right only after coming to a complete stop behind the stop line or crosswalk, and only when it is safe to do so. While right turns on red are standard practice in Canada, many international jurisdictions (including New York City, Montreal Island, and most European countries) prohibit them entirely.

Right turns on red may also be prohibited at specific intersections due to high collision history, poor sightlines, complex multi-way configurations, or high posted speed limits (70 km/h or higher). It is safe and reasonable to assume right turns are permitted in BC unless you see a sign prohibiting the maneuver.

2. Turning Left When You’re Committed

You have likely waited in an intersection to make a left turn, only to have opposing drivers run the yellow light. If you legally entered the intersection on a green or clear yellow light to await a gap, you are “committed.” Once cross-traffic clears—even if the signal turns red—you must promptly and safely complete your turn.

Safety Tip: Only one vehicle at a time should occupy the intersection waiting to turn left. Following a lead vehicle into the intersection without a clear path creates a severe gridlock and red-light violation risk.

3. Flashing Red Light

A flashing red light indicates that you must come to a complete stop at the marked stop line or crosswalk. Treat this signal as a 4-way stop, yielding right-of-way to any vehicles or pedestrians who arrived before you or have priority, and proceed only when clear. Power Outages: If traffic lights are unpowered or completely blacked out due to a storm or power failure, BC law requires drivers to treat the intersection as a 4-way stop as well.

4. When Directed to do so by a POLICE OR Peace Officer

During emergency situations, construction, or power failures, authorized personnel may step in to manually direct traffic. Directions given by a police officer, peace officer, or designated Traffic Control Person (TCP/flagger) strictly override traffic signals. If an officer or flagger signals you to proceed through a red light, you must follow their directions once it is safe to do so.

5. Turning Left onto a one-way street

Under Section 129(4)(b) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act, drivers are permitted to turn left on a solid red light onto a one-way street—whether turning from a two-way street or another one-way street.

Before turning, you must come to a complete stop before the stop line/crosswalk and yield to all cross-traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians. Per Section 165(3), you must execute the turn from the extreme left-hand lane into the immediate left lane of the one-way street. (Note: Always double-check for posted “No Left Turn on Red” signs before proceeding).

6. Pedestrian Crosswalks at Locations Other than Intersections

Section 129(5) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act governs red lights at non-intersection locations, such as mid-block pedestrian-controlled crosswalks. Unlike standard intersection traffic lights where you must wait for a green signal, mid-block pedestrian signals only require a complete stop and yield. Once you have stopped and yielded to all pedestrians and cyclists in or entering your path, you may legally proceed—even while the light remains solid red.

Why this rule surprises drivers: This procedure often feels counterintuitive and is notably omitted from ICBC’s official Learn to Drive Smart and Learn to Ride Smart manuals. However, because these signals are mid-block and not at an intersection, there is no vehicular cross-traffic to contend with. As long as the crosswalk is completely clear, proceeding with care is entirely legal and helps reduce unnecessary idling, saving both time and fuel.

(Note: This exception applies strictly to mid-block pedestrian crosswalks. Standard intersection signals, even those activated by pedestrian pushbuttons, require you to remain stopped until the light turns green.)

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The more you know, the better prepared you can be for our fast-paced and sometimes complicated roadways. It’s important to keep yourself informed about the lesser-known rules and regulations that are in place, like when you can proceed on a red light.