1. UPS Figured Out the Secret to Efficiency
IBack in 2004, UPS rolled out a computerized routing system designed for their drivers to avoid left turns. They used smart software to create right-turn-dominant routes. The results were massive. According to UPS, this saved them 10 million gallons of gas and shaved off 28 million miles per year. That also meant fewer accidents and faster delivery times. It wasn’t a gimmick. “We found it’s more efficient, safer and better for the environment,” said spokesperson Dan McMackin to NBC News. When a company that size shifts gears, cities can’t help but pay attention and consider the same move for public safety.
Note: There are exceptions. Sometimes a truck has to make a left-turn, they have no choice. But the UPS truck routing software has been designed to minimize them, and to create right-turn-dominant routes
2. Left Turns Waste Fuel Every Day
It doesn’t seem like much but left turns often mean a lot of sitting still. You wait for a break in traffic, and sometimes there’s no dedicated lane. That wait burns fuel with every passing second. In crowded cities, the problem multiplies fast. By comparison, right turns usually let cars keep moving. That small shift makes a huge difference when thousands of drivers take the same routes daily. UPS saw this early on and optimized their delivery patterns. Now, city engineers are realizing that avoiding lefts might help cut unnecessary fuel waste on a larger public scale.
3. Most Crashes Happen While Turning Left
If you’ve ever felt nervous making a left turn, you’re not alone. Statistically, they’re the most dangerous maneuver at intersections. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that over 60 percent of crashes at intersections happen during left turns. You’re crossing lanes, guessing speeds, and often racing a yellow light. With right turns, the margin for error is much smaller. Less guesswork usually means safer driving. That’s why some cities are now using bans or restrictions to limit left turns in areas where accidents are common. The move could significantly reduce injuries and make streets less chaotic overall.
4. Pedestrians Pay the Price Too
For people on foot, left turns can be terrifying. Studies have shown they’re three times more likely to harm a pedestrian than right turns. One of the main reasons is visibility. Drivers turning left tend to focus on oncoming traffic, not the people crossing in front of them. Add distractions, bad lighting, or a rush to beat the light, and it’s a recipe for danger. Cities working toward pedestrian safety goals are starting to pay close attention to this. By minimizing left turns in high-foot-traffic zones, they’re aiming to protect walkers and reduce incidents at busy intersections.
5. One Car Turning Left Can Slow a Whole Block
We’ve all been there. You’re behind someone trying to turn left and traffic keeps flying by. They wait. You wait. Everyone behind you waits too. Unless there’s a turn signal or extra lane, that single turn backs up the entire line. Even when there is a green arrow, adding that extra light phase slows down the whole traffic cycle. It might seem like a small inconvenience, but over time, it adds up to real delays. Cities testing left-turn bans have found traffic flows better with fewer interruptions. Less waiting means smoother movement for buses, bikes, and regular drivers.
6. More Left Turns Mean More Air Pollution
The more time cars sit idling in one spot, the more emissions they pump into the air. Especially in downtown areas where traffic is dense, left turns can be a big pollution culprit. According to the EPA, idling burns up to half a gallon of gas per hour depending on the car. Multiply that across all the daily commuters stuck waiting to turn and you’ve got an air quality problem. Right turns tend to move faster and reduce engine idle time. In neighborhoods trying to cut carbon, avoiding lefts might be a surprisingly simple step toward cleaner air.
7. Right Turns Are Often Just as Fast
This might be the biggest surprise of all. In most city layouts, taking three right turns around a block can get you to the same place with less risk and little time lost. In fact, in some cases it’s faster. That’s how UPS managed to keep its routes efficient without lefts. Grid-based cities like San Francisco and Tucson are now proving that residents can adjust quickly. What once seemed inconvenient becomes normal with time. It turns out that sometimes safer, simpler solutions have been hiding in plain sight all along. You just need to turn the right way.
5 Cities That Are Banning Left Turns and Why It’s Actually Working
1. San Francisco, CA Is Making Pedestrian Safety a Priority
In a city known for its steep hills and dense foot traffic, San Francisco has started banning left turns in some of its busiest intersections. According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the move is aimed at protecting pedestrians after a rise in injuries. By eliminating left turns in high-risk areas, especially around downtown, the city hopes to reduce accidents and make walking safer. The policy isn’t universal yet, but residents are already noticing smoother traffic and fewer near-misses. It’s a small change with big safety potential in a city where walking is part of daily life.
2. Salt Lake City, UT Uses Timed Bans for Rush Hour Relief
Salt Lake City took a different approach. Instead of a full ban, they use timed restrictions to block left turns during peak traffic hours. The Utah Department of Transportation says these “time-based turn restrictions” reduce bottlenecks and prevent long queues at intersections. During rush hour, drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes or make right-turn loops instead. Outside of those windows, normal turning rules apply. It’s a flexible model that eases congestion without creating confusion. And because it targets problem hours specifically, the system works without completely reshaping how people navigate the city.
3. Tucson, AZ Adds U-Turns to Make Left Turns Obsolete
Tucson has embraced a system where left turns are replaced by U-turns combined with right turns. These “Michigan Left” setups might sound complicated at first, but they work surprisingly well. The Arizona Department of Transportation explains that by rerouting left turns into a two-step process, they’ve cut down on intersection collisions and kept traffic flowing. Drivers make a right, then a safe U-turn at a designated spot further down the road. With enough signage and planning, this shift is becoming second nature for locals. It’s one of those changes that feels odd at first but quickly proves its value.
4. Wilmington, DE Is Targeting Dangerous Intersections
Instead of rolling out a citywide rule, Wilmington is taking a more focused approach. Officials reviewed crash data and zeroed in on intersections with a high number of accidents caused by left turns. By banning the maneuver in just those spots, they’ve started reducing risks without major disruptions to everyday driving. According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, early feedback has been positive, with fewer delays and clearer movement during peak hours. It’s a data-driven method that lets the city test what works, learn from it, and expand only where it truly makes sense.
5. Birmingham, AL Is Testing It in the Busiest Parts of Town
In Birmingham, the no-left-turn idea is still in the testing phase. The city launched a pilot program in dense commercial zones where traffic and foot traffic collide. Their goal is to improve flow, reduce minor fender benders, and encourage safer driving patterns. The initiative is part of a larger smart traffic system the city is trying out, which uses sensors, timing tools, and restructured lanes to optimize movement. According to local officials, results from the test sites will determine whether the rule spreads to other areas. For now, it’s an experiment with promising signs of long-term impact.
This story Why UPS Avoids Left Turns and Now These 5 Cities Are Doing It Too was first published on Daily FETCH
