Right Turn on Red Begins July 1, 1975

One of Lorain's old-style traffic lights in 2011

Traffic lights are the bane of our existence.

They seem to sense when we're in a hurry, such as being late for work or picking up someone up at a prearranged time. Then you can count on being stopped by more red lights than you can count.

And they're timed differently depending on what city or township you're in. Sometimes they're yellow for what seems like eons, and other times it's only for a split second.

At least in Cleveland over the years, a form of unofficial speeders' etiquette evolved. Lead-footed drivers running a red light at a major intersection often provide a courteous warning "beep" to alert the other drivers. Now that's considerate.

Anyway, one aspect of driving – being able to make a right turn on red unless a sign tells you otherwise – has been generally a good development. And it's only been around in Ohio since July 1, 1975 – 50 years ago.

Below is the article announcing the impending legality of turning right on red in Ohio. It ran in the Journal on June 19, 1975.

I remember how odd it felt when it was first rolled out. I had only turned 16, in 1975 and was thus eligible for my temps. I seem to recall being hesitant to turn right, worrying about getting run in by Lorain's Finest.

Anyway, decades later, I once absent-mindedly made a left turn on red. The spouse asked me, "Do you realize what you just did?"

I guess I was reliving the freewheeling days of getting around Lorain on my bike.