Is It Legal to Turn Left on Red in Montana? No, but Also Yes
I know what you're probably thinking. "You definitely can't turn left on red in Montana." And in normal circumstances, you'd be absolutely correct. Even with a green light, it's the law in Montana for left-turning drivers to yield the right-of-way to those turning right and going straight from the other direction. But, what if I told you that it's actually legal to turn left on red, but only in certain circumstances?
Okay, seriously, can you really turn left on red?
Yes, in Montana, you can. But, only in one specific condition. You have to be on a one-way road and turn left onto another one-way road, according to Montana Code Annotated Title 61-8-207(3)(c). This law actually exists in every state, except for Connecticut, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island, New Jersey, South Dakota, Maine, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C.
There are also a couple of things to note here. You still have to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, of course. You also have to pay attention to the street signs. Some one-ways in Montana have signs that designate that there's no turning on red. So, just keep an eye out.
So, wait, this law exists in nearly every other state?
Yes, absolutely. Other than those I listed earlier, you can turn left on red from one-way to one-way in other states. There are even states that allow you to turn left on red onto a one-way from any road. So, if you ever road trip to Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Oregon, or Washington, you're in luck!
Keep in mind as well; you need to come to a complete stop at a red light before turning in any direction, and right-of-way is super important. So, drive safely Montana, and watch out for others.