São José dos Campos expands 'Direita Livre' project to 44 intersections

São José dos Campos has increased the number of intersections at which drivers can make a right turn, even with the traffic lights closed. The project, called Direita Livre, gained 14 new points and is now present in 44 locations in the city.

The expansion was announced by City Hall this Monday (21). The implementation of the new points will be done gradually.

The measure allows the driver to turn right even with a red light, but only at intersections that have specific signs authorizing the turn.

See the new points

Avenida Dr. João Batista Soares de Queiroz Júnior x Rua das Paineiras — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Avenida Cassiopeia x Rua Jequié — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Rua Itabaiana x Rua Bacabal — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Avenida Barbacena x Avenida Uberaba — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Perseu Avenue x Buerarema Street — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Avenida Perseu x Rua Aldebaran — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Avenida Andrômeda x Rua José Alves dos Santos — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Avenida Iguape x Avenida Ouro Fino — towards the neighborhood-center;

Rua Itabaiana x Rua José Cobra — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Avenida Adilson José da Cruz x Avenida Maria de Lourdes Medeiros de Assis — towards the center-neighborhood;

Avenida Gisele Martins x Avenida Nelson Alves — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Avenida Marginal B x Avenida Central — towards the neighborhood-center;

Avenida Professor Sebastião Paulo de Toledo Pontes x Rua Dr. Adhemar Figueiredo Lira — towards the center of the neighborhood;

Rua Siqueira Campos x Rua Mário Galvão — towards the center of the neighborhood.

Previous locations

Av. Adhemar de Barros – Rua Major Vaz - Centro x Neighborhood

Av. Heitor Villa Lobos – Av. Eng. Francisco José Longo – Neighborhood x Center

Av. Eng. Francisco José Longo – Rua Paulo Setúbal – Neighborhood x Center

Av. Dr. Nélson D´Ávila – R. Jordão Monteiro Ferreira – Neighborhood x Center

Av. Dr. Nélson D´Ávila – R. Antônio da Silva Santos - Neighborhood x Center

Av. Tancredo Neves – R. Iracema – Center x Neighborhood

Av. Tancredo Neves – R. Aparecida Maria Consiglio – Center x Neighborhood

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. Benedito Alves Moreira - Neighborhood x Center

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. Itambé – Centro x Neighborhood

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. Jacinto Gallo – Centro x Neighborhood

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. José Rachid – Neighborhood x Center

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. Carlos Alberto F. Moreira – Neighborhood x Center

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. Pedro Martins Ribeiro – Center x Neighborhood

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. Lázara Augusta da S. Lisboa – Center x Neighborhood

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. José Alves Ribeiro Filho – Neighborhood x Center

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. Joaquim Silvério Neto – Center x Neighborhood

Av. Cidade Jardim – R. Felisbino F. Rodrigues – Neighborhood x Center

Av. Andrômeda – R. Benedito Marcondes dos Santos – Neighborhood x Center

Av. Andrômeda – R. Espinosa – Centro x Neighborhood

Av. Andrômeda – R. José Octávio Franco Bittencourt – Neighborhood x Center

Av. João Batista de Souza Soares – R. Gandu – Center x Neighborhood

R. Caravelas – R. Abaré – Neighborhood x Center

R. Carlos Nunes de Paula – Pça Francisco Lopes de Azevedo – Center x Neighborhood

R. Carlos Nunes de Paula – R. Cônego José Romão da Rosa Goes – Center x Neighborhood

R. Penedo – R. Icatu – Centro x Neighborhood

Pça Natal – R. José Cobra – Centro x Neighborhood

Av. João Batista Soares de Queiroz Júnior – R. Paineiras – Neighborhood x Center

Tamoios Highway – Talim Street – Center x Neighborhood

Av. Audemo Veneziani – R. Independência – Centro x Neighborhood

Av. Princesa Isabel – R. Alexandrino José de Souza – Center x Neighborhood

How it works

Turning right at a red light is provided for by the Brazilian Traffic Code, but can only be done when there is signage allowing the maneuver.

Even at Free Right points, the driver must reduce speed and stop when necessary, in addition to giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists.

It is also necessary to respect the flow of vehicles that have priority at the intersection.

In other locations, where there is no signage authorizing the turn, the driver must continue to obey the traffic lights normally.

According to City Hall, the project was implemented in São José dos Campos in November 2025 and aims to reduce waiting times at traffic lights and improve traffic flow.