Can You Go Straight in a Left-Turn Waiting Area?
2 Answers
You cannot go straight in a left-turn waiting area; it is exclusively for vehicles making a left turn. Proceeding straight in a left-turn waiting area will result in penalties. Entering the left-turn waiting area: When the straight-through signal for the same direction is green, even if the left-turn signal is red, vehicles intending to turn left are permitted to enter the 'left-turn waiting area' at the intersection and wait until the left-turn signal turns green before proceeding. Left-turn waiting line: It is important to remind drivers that the left-turn waiting line is not a 'stop line.' If both the straight-through and left-turn signals are red, all vehicles must wait behind the preceding stop line.
I've been driving for twenty years, and you absolutely cannot go straight in the left-turn waiting area. That space is specifically reserved for left-turning vehicles, and going straight would completely disrupt the traffic flow. Think about it—when you go straight in that area, you might just collide with left-turning vehicles that start moving after the light turns green. It's extremely dangerous and can easily cause rear-end or side collisions. I've seen this happen several times, and it even caused traffic jams. Traffic police will definitely issue a ticket, with a fine of at least 200 yuan, and possibly deduct points. So it's best to stay in the straight lane and not try to save a little time—safety always comes first. Remember, the waiting area is only for left turns; planning your route properly can help you avoid problems.
