Can you proceed when the left-turn waiting zone light changes from green to red?
3 Answers
You cannot proceed when the left-turn waiting zone light changes from green to red. Reasons why you cannot proceed on red: At intersections, there is usually a waiting zone, which allows more left-turning vehicles to pass without affecting the straight-moving vehicles from the opposite direction. Since turning is slower, the waiting zone effectively alleviates road congestion. When there are many vehicles or U-turning vehicles, traffic flow can be significantly impacted. 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 pass when the left-turn signal turns green. The waiting zone is exclusively for left-turning vehicles. If the straight-moving signal is green while the left-turn signal is red, vehicles can only enter 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. Following traffic rules: According to the traffic rule of stopping at red and proceeding at green, when the left-turn signal is red, vehicles in the waiting zone are not allowed to proceed. They must wait until the red light turns green. The left-turn waiting zone is only for left-turning vehicles.
When the light turns red after I've already entered the left-turn waiting area, I believe it's acceptable to complete the turn, but extra caution is needed regarding oncoming traffic. The waiting area is designed precisely for vehicles to enter the intersection during the green light in preparation for turning. After the light turns red and cross-traffic begins moving, I usually pause for a few seconds to observe the opposing flow, ensuring there's sufficient gap to make a safe turn. Never rush through recklessly, as this could easily lead to collisions with through traffic or pedestrians—that would be a serious issue. With years of driving experience, I know this situation is common; handling it well can improve traffic flow, but I always remind myself: safety first—better to wait three seconds than risk one. Additionally, understanding the pattern of intersection signals is crucial for anticipating movements. In summary, based on experience, once in the waiting area when the light turns red, proceeding is permissible by following rules and yielding properly, but vigilance must never be relaxed.
If I encounter the situation where the traffic light changes from green to red while I'm in the left-turn waiting area, I think it's fine to continue the left turn since the vehicle has already entered the designated zone. However, at this point, it's important to proceed slowly and observe the traffic conditions in the opposite lane, as the opposing side might have just gotten a green light and vehicles are starting to move. Don't act recklessly, or you might be accused of jumping the light or even fined. The waiting area itself is designed to improve efficiency and reduce our waiting time, but after the light turns red, remember to be patient and wait for a safe gap. I've personally encountered this situation several times while driving, and each time I slowed down, stopped, and made sure it was safe before proceeding. This design is quite considerate as it helps reduce traffic congestion, but new drivers might misunderstand the rules and think they can't move. Learning more about traffic regulations will make the practice smoother naturally.
