Noah Romsdal Hallundbæk Sørensen
Should drivers be allowed to turn on red?
A fresh traffic proposal in Lithuania has ignited sharp debate among politicians and road safety specialists.
The idea, put forward in the Seimas, would allow drivers to turn right at a red light. Supporters argue it would ease congestion, but critics warn it could create confusion and danger.
According to LNK.LT, the initiative was introduced by Karolis Neimantas, a member of the Seimas from the “Aušrietis” party.
Neimantas pointed to the United States as an example, noting that motorists there are often permitted to turn right on red.
“I alle tilfælde kan du dreje til højre ved et rødt trafiklys, medmindre det er forbudt af bestemte markeringer,” he said.
He argued that adopting such a rule in Lithuania would help reduce traffic jams, cut fuel consumption and lower urban pollution.
Safety concerns rise
Traffic specialists reacted critically. Driving instructor Kastytis Povilaitis dismissed the fuel-saving argument.
“En dråbe sparet brændstof kan ikke købe menneskeliv tilbage,” he said.
Povilaitis added that constant amendments to road regulations already create uncertainty. “Folk har ikke tid til at tilpasse sig ændringer i nogle regler, når andre ændringer allerede er ved at dukke op. I sidste ende opstår der kaos – nogle kører efter de regler, de engang læste for 15 år siden, mens andre følger den seneste version,” he explained.
Experts also warned that confusion is already visible at intersections, with some drivers unaware they may turn right on green without additional arrows.
Wider controversy grows
Traffic analyst Darius Kanapinskas questioned the need for further disruption. “Hvor politibetjente kunne udføre deres seriøse arbejde, gå til elementære opkald, hvor de burde efterforske slyngler. Der er ingen grund til det kaos,” he said.
Even Lithuanians familiar with U.S. roads were skeptical. “Når lyset er rødt, skal man stoppe, og når man er sikker, kan man køre, så der er ikke noget stort problem. Det er dog ikke tilfældet nogen steder i Europa, og vi er en del af det. Når folk først har vænnet sig til det på den ene måde, er dette vrøvl unødvendigt,” said automotive market expert Vitoldas Milius.
Neimantas has also proposed higher fines for traffic violations and a new tax on cars exceeding 150 kilowatts. “Desværre fungerer bødens størrelse ikke i denne sag,” Povilaitis said, arguing that enforcement matters more than penalty size.
Other initiatives from the lawmaker have drawn criticism. He suggested unemployed people should join the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union to receive benefits and called for redefining large families to include those with two children.
“Dette viser en persons besynderlighed, i dette tilfælde en politikers,” said Seimas member Eugenijus Gentvilas. Agnė Širinskienė suggested the proposals were designed to attract publicity.
Proposals to ban unhealthy food advertising and alter family definitions have already been rejected, while traffic-related bills remain under consideration.
Sources: MadeInVilnius
