In Everett, right turns on red go under the microscope

[Old Crank]

5. Safety is the reason

Not so much for motorists but pedestrians and cyclists.
First, drivers tend to stop in the intersection and not behind the limit line. This reduces the width of crosswalks and bike lanes.
Second, once stopped, drivers aren't paying attention to anything but the oncoming traffic. They tend to ignore pedestrian traffic coming from the right. Third, drivers start their turns as the light turns green and cana, and do hit pedestrians crossing on a now green signal.

Another issue is the placement of traffic signals. Most have the lights on the far side of the intersection. This means you can pull into the intersection and still see the light.

Where I live now, Germany, and this is largely the same all over Europe. There is no right on red unless posted. There is no incentive to pull into the intersection and block crosswalks and bike lanes since you can't turn anyway.

Traffic lights help enforce keeping drivers out of the intersections because they are located on the near side of the intersection. If you pull into the intersection you can't see the light. Plus, at least here in Munich, you will get your "fair share of abuse" from pedestrians blocked by your actions.

For those who aren't familiar, where does an intersection start in the U S?
It starts at the limit line. This is a line that comes before any crosswalk or bike lane. It can easily be 18 feet before the actual road crossing which cars use.