Alexandria Traffic Board Bans Right Turns on Red Across Old Town

Drivers in Alexandria’s greater Old Town area will no longer be permitted to turn right on red at most intersections after the Traffic and Parking Board voted to expand the restriction on Monday, Oct. 26. The new rule applies to all signalized intersections within a defined zone, altering the daily routine for motorists who frequently navigate the historic district’s busy streets.

The board approved the motion by a 5-1 margin. The designated area is bounded by First Street to the north, the city limits to the south, the Potomac River to the east, and railroad tracks to the west. City staff estimate that approximately 100 traffic signals fall within this perimeter. About half of these intersections already enforce red light turn restrictions, while the new signage will cover the remaining locations.

The board also extended the ban to two specific intersections outside the main zone: Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road, as well as Quaker Lane, Janney’s Lane, and Seminary Road. The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services is responsible for installing the necessary signage, though city staff did not provide a specific timeline for completion.

City data presented to the board indicates that 121 of the 318 pedestrian crashes recorded in Alexandria from 2020 to 2025 occurred in the greater Old Town and Carlyle areas east of the railroad tracks. Of those 121 incidents, 73 happened at signalized intersections. Within that subset, 12% involved right turns on red, while 56% involved left turns on green.

Alex Carroll, the city’s Complete Streets program manager, described the move as a proactive shift from previous piecemeal approvals. Carroll noted that severe crashes are increasing and becoming a larger proportion of total crashes. He stated that the city must think holistically about safety to meet goals adopted by City Council, rather than remaining reactive.

Christopher Wilk, a resident who frequently walks King Street, testified that the area has high foot traffic and drivers in a hurry. He argued that the unpredictability of right turns on red poses a risk to the many visitors from around the world. The board’s approval also includes leading pedestrian intervals at the affected signals, which give pedestrians a head start while traffic is stopped to improve visibility and reduce conflicts.