Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will assess the potential benefits of allowing road users to turn left on red traffic signals at junctions.

We believe it is unnecessary in the UK because, unlike other countries that use this system, such as the US, most UK traffic lights use traffic responsive systems to reduce delays and improve traffic flow. This proposal could seriously compromise pedestrian safety by allowing traffic to turn through pedestrian signals. In the UK the majority of signal junctions are provided with pedestrian facilities, which only give a green signal when conflicting traffic is stopped.