Indianapolis, Indiana – As spring brings more people outdoors, one Indianapolis intersection is drawing renewed attention from police for a rule that cannot be ignored.
At East 46th Street and North Keystone Avenue, officers with IMPD’s North District are warning drivers to pay close attention to the “No Turn on Red” restriction near the Nickel Plate Trail crossing, where walkers and bicyclists regularly move through the area with the right of way.
The concern centers on westbound traffic traveling along 46th Street. Drivers approaching Keystone are only allowed to make a right turn onto northbound Keystone when the green arrow appears. That signal timing is there for a reason.
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It gives pedestrians and cyclists using the crossing a protected chance to move safely through the intersection without having to compete with turning vehicles.
Police say the problem has become too common to overlook. Even with the sign in place and the traffic signal clearly controlling the turn, officers have seen drivers continue to turn right while facing a red arrow.
In some cases, those turns have happened while people were actively using the crosswalk. That pattern, officials say, creates an unnecessary risk at a location that is seeing more activity as the weather improves and trail use increases.
The message from the department is direct: the red arrow means stop, and drivers must wait until the green arrow gives them permission to turn. It is not a suggestion, and it is not a judgment call. For those who ignore it, IMPD says citations are being issued.
With the Nickel Plate Trail attracting more foot and bicycle traffic, the intersection has become a place where a brief moment of impatience behind the wheel can have serious consequences. What may seem like a quick right turn to a driver can place someone in the crosswalk directly in harm’s way.
That is why officers are urging the public to spread the word. The department’s message is simple and worth repeating:
“Drivers going westbound on 46th St may only turn right to northbound Keystone when they have a green arrow.”
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The goal is not only enforcement, but awareness, making sure more people understand the rule before a dangerous mistake happens.
