Can I Turn Left on a Straight Green Light?
3 Answers
At an intersection with standard three-color traffic lights, you may turn left on a green light, but you must yield to oncoming straight-moving vehicles first. When encountering lane arrows, if the straight arrow is green but the left-turn arrow is red, you cannot turn left, but you may enter the left-turn waiting area. When the left arrow turns green, vehicles in that lane can proceed with the left turn. The relevant requirements for turning are as follows: 1. Motor vehicle and non-motor vehicle traffic signals indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians that have been given the right of way. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to proceed. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding. 2. Lane signals indicate: When the green arrow light is on, vehicles in that lane are permitted to proceed in the indicated direction. When the red cross light or arrow light is on, vehicles in that lane are prohibited from proceeding.
When the straight-through light turns green, you cannot directly make a left turn. Nowadays, many intersections have dedicated left-turn arrow signals. If that signal is red or not lit, even if the straight-through light is green, you must wait patiently. Last time I was driving, I encountered this situation—the left-turn light suddenly turned red, and I quickly stopped behind the line. However, the car next to me forced a left turn and was immediately pulled over by traffic police, who issued a ticket. Actually, this design makes sense: left-turning vehicles intersect with oncoming straight-moving traffic, making side collisions particularly likely. I recommend that beginners pay close attention to the overhead signals at intersections: arrow signal groups control directional turns, while full-circle signals control straight-through movement. Remember, only a green left-turn arrow or a green light with an arrow allows a safe left turn. If you encounter a circular green light without a left-turn arrow, you can usually only go straight or turn right—never risk cutting into the lane.
Turning left when seeing a straight green light? This maneuver will cost you points and fines! Having driven for over a decade, I've seen too many people getting tickets for this. Traffic regulations clearly state that a circular green light only permits going straight, unless there's a left-turn arrow marked on the road or a dedicated left-turn lane. Some older intersections indeed lack left-turn signals - in such cases, you must wait for all oncoming straight-moving vehicles to pass before turning, as they have the right of way. The safest approach is observing signal design: only dedicated arrow signals grant left-turn permission, while full circular signals allow straight or right turns only. Ninety percent of urban intersections have been upgraded - making a wrong move here would be embarrassing. Also remember: at intersections without left-turn signals, yielding to straight-moving vehicles is an absolute rule, otherwise you'll bear full responsibility for any collision.
