Can You Turn Left from a Straight Lane When Both Left Turn and Straight Are Green?
2 Answers
You cannot turn left from a straight lane when both left turn and straight are green. If the straight lane does not have a left turn sign, you are not allowed to turn left even when the light is green. Precautions for making a left turn include: 1. Signal left in advance, check the traffic light to ensure it is green for left turns, and watch for any oncoming vehicles running a red light before turning left; 2. Stop and wait for the left turn when the light is red, then shift into first gear; 3. Pay attention to pedestrians when turning left. The functions of turn signals are: 1. To indicate the direction of the turn to pedestrians or other vehicles; 2. To signal the direction for overtaking or lane changing; 3. When both left and right turn signals are on simultaneously, it indicates an emergency situation to alert other vehicles.
When I first started learning to drive, I was also curious about whether I could make a left turn from a straight lane when the light was green. I tried it once and almost caused a major accident. That day at a city intersection, both the straight and left-turn signals were green, but my car was in the straight lane trying to turn. The horns behind me blared loudly, and I slammed on the brakes, only then noticing the straight arrow painted on the road—left turns had to be made from the dedicated lane. The traffic officer explained that making such turns recklessly could easily lead to collisions with oncoming straight-moving vehicles or block pedestrians on the crosswalk, not to mention earning a ticket. Since then, I’ve remembered: lanes are designated for specific directions, and you must switch to the left-turn lane in advance. A green light is a signal to proceed, not an excuse to change lanes arbitrarily. Now, I’ve developed the habit of checking the road markings before entering any intersection to avoid violations and risks. Rules aren’t just constraints; they protect your safety and others’.
