Newly enacted city ordinance causing confusion on the roads

Some important information for drivers.

Lincoln police say they are writing more tickets than usual.

Back in December, the Lincoln city council passed a traffic related ordinance.

"The ordinance states that you can not turn right or left on a red arrow," said Lincoln Police Department Traffic Unit Sgt. Michael Muff.

The new ordinance states that cars faced with a steady red arrow must stop and must remain stopped until the arrow turns green.

Before the new ordinance was enacted, it was legal to turn right on a red arrow.

The change in legality has caused a noticeable uptick in tickets written.

"We’ve seen a little bit more citations issued for the right turn on red," said Sgt. Muff.

Two of the biggest problem areas are turning right onto superior street off of I–180 and the downtown area near N and M streets close to the cyclist paths.

Sgt. Muff has some advice for people out on the roads.

"If the red arrow, whether it be for a left or right turn, directing your direction of travel. If it’s red, then you should not take that turn, both right or left."

Now, you can still legally turn right on red lights after coming to a stop. But again, if you encounter a red arrow, you must remain stopped until it turns green.

Officials say this, along with the relatively new flashing yellow light, has caused some confusion.

At the end of the day, they just want people to know.