Councilmember Withdraws Right-Turn-On-Red Legislation
Nashville transit officials will instead implement right-turn-on-red bans at 14 intersections through administrative action.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda is withdrawing a legislative proposal to restrict right turns on red lights after discussions with local officials. The Nashville Department of Transportation will now handle the restriction through their existing bureaucratic process.
Why it matters
The decision reflects a shift toward using departmental expertise rather than legislation to manage traffic safety. The city plans to focus on immediate changes at select locations while studying broader intersection impacts.
The city is moving forward with right-turn-on-red bans at 14 intersections, a process which will be finalized within two weeks. Officials are also currently studying several hundred additional intersections to determine if future restrictions are necessary.
The players
Sandra Sepulveda
Sandra Sepulveda is a member of the Metro Council who sponsored the legislation regarding traffic restrictions.
Nashville Department of Transportation
The Nashville Department of Transportation is the municipal agency responsible for planning, building, and maintaining the city's transit infrastructure.
Daron Hall
Daron Hall is the former sheriff whose recent retirement has necessitated a process to appoint an interim successor.
Freddie O'Connell
Freddie O'Connell serves as the Mayor of Nashville and recently proposed a $544.72 million capital spending plan.
Metro Council
The Metro Council is the legislative body for Nashville and Davidson County that manages municipal policy and budgetary decisions.
The details
The withdrawal follows productive meetings where the Nashville Department of Transportation confirmed it could implement the restrictions without a council bill. This transition allows the department to utilize its internal regulatory framework to adjust traffic patterns at identified high-risk areas.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Sheriff Daron Hall retired from his position.
October 27, 2026: The deadline for sheriff nominations is set for 4 p.m.
November 3, 2026: The two-week window for initial intersection bans concludes.
November 10, 2026: The Rules Committee will conduct interviews for sheriff candidates.
November 17, 2026: The Metro Council will vote to appoint an interim sheriff.
Political Context
The transition away from legislation relies on the city's established traffic engineering administrative protocols to manage safety. This approach faces pushback from those who believe council oversight is necessary to ensure public transparency in how specific traffic rules are applied.
Drivers in Nashville should anticipate changes to right-turn rules at 14 local intersections within the next two weeks. These adjustments may impact daily commuting times as the city continues to study additional sites for potential future restrictions.
The takeaway
Using administrative channels to manage traffic flow can provide more flexibility than formal legislation for municipal governments. Residents should stay informed on upcoming council votes as the city navigates both traffic policy changes and the appointment of an interim sheriff.
What happens next
The Metro Council is scheduled to hold a vote to select an interim sheriff on November 17, 2026, following a nomination process ending October 27.
Further reading
For more on city governance and ongoing local initiatives, see Legislative Policy.
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