Can You Drive in the Left-Turn Waiting Zone When the Light is Red?
3 Answers
You cannot drive in the left-turn waiting zone when the light is red. According to the traffic rule of stopping at red lights and proceeding at green lights, when the left-turn signal is red, vehicles in the waiting zone are not allowed to proceed and must wait until the light turns green. At intersections, there is usually a waiting zone, which allows more left-turning vehicles to pass without interfering with the straight-moving traffic from the opposite direction. Since turning is slower, setting up a waiting zone can effectively alleviate road congestion. When there are many vehicles or vehicles making U-turns, traffic flow can be significantly affected. When the straight-moving signal is green, left-turning vehicles can proceed along with straight-moving vehicles into the waiting zone, but they can only proceed when the left-turn signal turns green. The waiting zone is only for left-turning vehicles. If the straight-moving signal in the same direction is green while the left-turn signal is red, vehicles can only move into the waiting zone and wait until the left-turn signal turns green. The left-turn waiting line is not the stop line. When both the straight-moving and left-turn signals are red, all vehicles must wait at the previous stop line until the light changes.
When encountering a red light at a turning waiting zone, you must absolutely not proceed. This design is a reserved waiting space for left-turning vehicles. When the red light is on, you must obediently stop within the marked area and wait until the green light or left-turn arrow signal illuminates before moving. I usually drive very cautiously. If I were to proceed recklessly, I could easily be caught by traffic cameras, fined 200 yuan, and possibly receive penalty points. More dangerously, it could lead to conflicts with straight-moving vehicles, causing rear-end collisions or even more severe accidents. Once, I almost made this mistake but fortunately braked in time. Now, every time I enter a turning waiting zone, I remind myself to check the signal status to ensure safe driving without any issues. Remember, patiently waiting for the green light is the key to safety—don’t risk it just to save a few seconds.
When facing a red light in the turning waiting area, you must not proceed directly through it. The purpose of the waiting area is to optimize traffic flow by allowing vehicles to enter during a straight green light and wait for the left-turn signal. When the red light is on, you can only stop within the area and wait for the signal to change; once it turns green, you may continue driving. Having driven for over a decade, I've seen many beginners neglect this and get fined, so I recommend using a navigation app to check traffic conditions and avoid hesitation. Additionally, some intersections have surveillance cameras monitoring violations, which can result in hefty penalties and affect your safety record.
