Can I turn right when the right-turn arrow light is flashing yellow?
2 Answers
If the right-turn arrow light is flashing yellow for a long time, you can turn right, but you need to pay attention to the surroundings and slow down. Introduction to arrow signal lights: The arrow directions of the light—left, up, and right—indicate left turn, straight ahead, and right turn, respectively. When the green arrow light is on, vehicles are allowed to proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow. When the red arrow light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding in the direction indicated by the arrow. Introduction to circular signal lights: When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles can proceed if they do not hinder the passage of released vehicles and pedestrians. When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to proceed, but turning vehicles must not hinder the passage of released straight-moving vehicles and pedestrians. When a directional signal light is present, vehicles should follow the rules indicated by the directional signal light. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line can continue to proceed.
In my over ten years of driving experience, I've encountered many scenarios with continuously flashing yellow right-turn arrows. According to traffic regulations, this signal usually indicates a cautious right turn—you can turn, but must yield to oncoming straight-moving vehicles and pedestrians crossing the road. Once on a rainy night, when the light was flashing urgently, I was in too much of a hurry and almost collided with an electric scooter rushing from the side. Since then, I always slow down and check both sides before proceeding. The safety principle is: when you see a flashing yellow light, pause first to confirm there's no danger, especially during peak hours or near crosswalks—don't take risks to save time. I also recommend developing the habit of regularly checking your vehicle's lights to avoid misunderstandings of the rules due to equipment malfunctions. Driving through similar intersections a few more times will gradually build confidence, and beginners who learn to do this will find it very steady.
