Can you turn right at a red light when driving a motor vehicle?

[EmmettDella]

Whether a motor vehicle can turn right at a red light depends on the following situations: Circular traffic light: If the circular traffic light at an intersection turns red and there are no other lights, vehicles in the right-turn lane can turn right directly. However, be careful not to interfere with other vehicles, as well as pedestrians and vehicles on the road behind and to the right. Arrow-shaped right-turn indicator: If there is a circular red light and an arrow-shaped right-turn sign next to it, you need to look at the right-turn arrow light. When the red arrow is lit, you cannot turn right. If you turn right, it will be considered running a red light. Additional sign on a circular red light: At some intersections with complex road conditions, there may be a reminder above the traffic light indicating whether you can turn right at a red light. If the prompt says "Right turn on red," then you can turn right. If the prompt says "No right turn on red," you must wait for the green light to turn right. No right-turn sign: When encountering a circular red light, also check if there is a no right-turn sign nearby. If there is, you cannot turn right. The rightmost lane is not a right-turn lane: In some areas, the rightmost lane may not necessarily be a right-turn lane. You should drive according to the lane markings on the ground, not based on the circular traffic light. Laws and regulations: According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," motor vehicle traffic lights and non-motor vehicle traffic lights indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to pass, but turning vehicles must not hinder the passage of straight-moving vehicles and pedestrians. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line can continue to pass. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing. At intersections without non-motor vehicle traffic lights and pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the instructions of motor vehicle traffic lights. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles can pass if they do not hinder the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," the regulations on traffic lights are as follows: Article 25, Paragraph 2 states that traffic signals include traffic lights, traffic signs, traffic markings, and the command of traffic police. Article 26 states that traffic lights consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to pass, and a yellow light indicates a warning. Article 38 states that vehicles and pedestrians should follow traffic signals; when there is a traffic police officer directing traffic on-site, they should follow the traffic police officer's command; on roads without traffic signals, they should pass under the principle of ensuring safety and smoothness. Article 62 states that pedestrians should use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities when crossing intersections or roads; when crossing at a crosswalk with traffic lights, they should follow the traffic light signals; when crossing at an intersection without traffic lights or crosswalks, or when crossing a road without pedestrian facilities, they should confirm safety before crossing. Article 89 states that pedestrians, passengers, and non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road passage will be given a warning or fined between 5 and 50 yuan; non-motor vehicle drivers who refuse to accept the fine may have their non-motor vehicles impounded. Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic light signals will result in a 6-point penalty. Right-turn precautions: Pay attention to straight-moving vehicles on the left: When turning right, you should look at both the right and left sides for vehicle conditions. Pay attention to left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction: In addition to observing straight-moving vehicles, you also need to check if there are left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction. When turning right, pay attention to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight, and let them pass first. Pay attention to pedestrians: When turning right, in addition to the crosswalk before the intersection, there may also be a crosswalk at the corner. When turning right, pay attention to whether there are pedestrians on the crosswalk.

[Maximilian]

I've been driving for ten years, and turning right on a red light requires some know-how. The general rule is that if there's no specific prohibition sign, you can turn right on red, but you must come to a complete stop, ensure the intersection is safe with no vehicles or pedestrians, and then proceed cautiously. Regulations vary by location—for instance, it's mostly allowed in the U.S., while some cities in China, like Beijing, have specific restrictions. Always check for a 'No Right Turn' sign near the traffic light. Safety comes first, so I always stop and wait a few extra seconds to confirm the view is clear before moving. Sharp turns can easily lead to accidents, especially during heavy rain or at night when visibility is poor. I recommend that beginners develop the habit of stopping every time they encounter this situation—don't rush to avoid tickets or crashes.