What must a driver do before making a right turn at a red traffic signal?

Before making a right turn at a red traffic signal, a driver must come to a complete stop. This is crucial because it allows the driver to assess the situation at the intersection, ensuring that it is safe to proceed. Stopping provides the opportunity to look for pedestrians, other vehicles, and any traffic signs that may affect the turn.

A complete stop ensures that drivers can yield the right of way to any pedestrians who may be crossing the intersection and to any oncoming traffic. It is important for safety that the driver takes the time to look both ways before turning, meaning that simply signaling for a certain duration or yielding to pedestrians alone is not sufficient. Checking for oncoming traffic alone also does not cover the full scope of what is required, as the driver must remain aware of all potential hazards before executing the turn.