The 5 Worst Intersections in Sioux Falls to Turn Right on Red

Most drivers take the right-turn-on-red for granted, assuming it’s always been a staple of South Dakota roads. But it wasn't until the national energy crisis of the 1970s that federal legislation urged states to adopt 'right on red' laws to cut down on idling and save fuel. Back then, turning on red was strictly off-limits across most of the country, including South Dakota. State laws changed all that, and these days most residents don't give it a second thought.

While most area drivers would agree that 'right on red' is here to stay, not every corner was built for it, including in the state's largest city of Sioux Falls. A mix of rapid expansion, awkward terrain, and heavy foot traffic has turned several key intersections around town into real high-stress spots where taking that legal right on red requires extreme caution.

Here's a look at 5 intersections in Sioux Falls where you'll definitely want to keep your guard up while turning right on red.

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59th & South Louise Ave.

Credit: Google Street View

The Hazard: High-Speed Cross Traffic, Frequent Red-Light Runners & Dangerous Sightlines

What Makes it Difficult: This intersection (The first of two from S. Louise Ave.) is a notorious hotspot for local drivers, and for good reason. Turning right onto Louise Avenue from 59th Street forces you to judge fast-moving traffic coming off a high-density retail shopping area. Combine that with drivers routinely blowing through late red lights on Louise, and taking that right-on-red becomes a serious gamble. Between misjudging the speed of oncoming vehicles and navigating near-impossible conditions for pedestrians trying to cross multi-lane traffic, it’s one of the most stressful corners in the city to make a quick right turn.

41st & South Louise Ave.

Credit: Google Street View

The Hazard: Extreme Traffic Volume & Multi-Lane Congestion

What Makes it Difficult: No surprise here. As South Dakota's busiest intersection, making a right on red here requires tracking multiple lanes of dense, fast-moving traffic. Even when a gap opens, drivers turning left on a green arrow from the opposite side often sweep into the outer lanes, creating immediate points of conflict, and more often than not, accidents.

10th Street & Cliff Ave.

Credit: Google Street View

The Hazard: Poor Blind-Spot Visibility & Heavy Traffic

What Makes it Difficult: Turning right onto Cliff Avenue from 10th means fighting a sudden and abrupt drop in elevation and obstacles blocking your line of sight in every direction. It's distracting and a little chaotic. Drivers heading down the hill on Cliff pick up significant speed, giving you only a tiny window to judge oncoming traffic safely before committing to make the right turn on red.

26th Street & Southeastern Ave.

Credit: Google Street View

The Hazard: Elevation Hump & Hidden Oncoming Vehicles

What Makes it Difficult:  That bridge hump right over the railroad tracks completely blocks your view of traffic coming from the west. Drivers trying to nose out and turn right on red often can't see a fast-approaching car until it suddenly pops up over the hill, forcing people to slam on the brakes to avoid getting t-boned.

10th Street & Phillips Ave.

Credit: Google Street View

The Hazard: Pedestrian Heavy & Blind Crosswalks

What Makes it Difficult: Between heavy foot traffic visiting local shops and parked cars blocking the view near the corners, making a right on red requires nose-out inching. Pedestrians stepping into the crosswalk with a walk signal are easily missed by drivers focusing entirely to their left looking for a gap in vehicular traffic.