Can you turn right at a red light without a right-turn arrow on the road?

[McRylee]

There are three scenarios where vehicles can turn right at a red light, as detailed below: Circular traffic light: If the circular traffic light at an intersection turns red, vehicles in the right-turn lane can proceed to turn right. However, you must ensure 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 you encounter an arrow-shaped right-turn signal at a crossroad, you cannot turn right when the red arrow is lit. Turning right under these conditions will be considered running a red light. Circular red light with an additional sign: At some intersections with complex road conditions, you may find a sign above the traffic light indicating whether right turns are allowed during a red light. If the sign says "Right Turn on Red," then you may turn right. If it says "No Right Turn on Red," you must wait for the green light before turning; otherwise, it will be considered running a red 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 signals and non-motor vehicle traffic signals indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to proceed. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding. At intersections without non-motor vehicle or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle traffic signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or 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 directions of traffic police. Article 26 states that traffic lights consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition, a green light indicates permission, and a yellow light indicates a warning. Article 38 states that vehicles and pedestrians should follow traffic signals. In the presence of traffic police directing traffic, they should follow the directions of the traffic police. On roads without traffic signals, they should proceed under the principles of safety and smooth traffic flow. Article 62 states that pedestrians should use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities when crossing intersections or roads. At signalized crosswalks, they should follow the traffic signals. When crossing intersections without traffic signals or crosswalks, or when crossing roads without pedestrian facilities, they should proceed only after confirming safety. Article 89 states that pedestrians, passengers, or non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws or regulations regarding road passage will be given a warning or fined between 5 and 50 yuan. Non-motor vehicle drivers who refuse to pay the fine may have their vehicles impounded. Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signals will result in a 6-point penalty. Precautions for right turns: Observe straight-moving vehicles on the left: When turning right, you must check both the right and left sides for oncoming vehicles. Watch for left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction: In addition to observing straight-moving vehicles, you should also check for left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction. When turning right, yield to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight. Watch for pedestrians: When turning right, besides the crosswalk in front of the intersection, there may also be a crosswalk at the corner. Always check for pedestrians on the crosswalk before turning right.

[McTaylor]

I've been driving for almost ten years and have encountered all kinds of road conditions. At a circular red light without a 'no right turn' sign, you can indeed turn right, but you must slow down to below 20 km/h in advance. I remember last year near a school zone, I almost hit a student who suddenly ran out while I was turning right, so now I always pay extra attention to crosswalks when making right turns. Some cities also have special regulations, such as prohibiting right turns at certain intersections during morning and evening rush hours, which depends on local traffic rules. Once, I didn't yield to a straight-going electric bike while turning right and ended up scraping it, costing me 800 yuan in compensation, so now I always check the rearview mirror before turning. Also, never rush in rainy weather—wet roads can easily lead to loss of control.

[CamilleLynn]

As a traffic warden standing guard for eight hours every day, what I observe most are accidents involving right turns at red lights. Although regulations allow right turns at red lights without arrows, drivers must yield to pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. Last week, a BMW turning right knocked over an electric bike delivering takeout because the driver was looking at his phone while turning. If there is a yellow warning sign at the intersection that says 'Yield to Pedestrians,' be sure to stop and observe before proceeding. It is recommended to activate the turn signal 50 meters in advance to allow following vehicles to anticipate your move. Pay special attention to the blind spot on the right side of buses and try not to turn alongside them. Also, when the pedestrian light is green, pedestrians have absolute priority over turning vehicles.

[LeHeidi]

I just got my driver's license three months ago, and my instructor repeatedly emphasized the rules for right turns at red lights. Now when encountering a solid red light, I check three things: the rearview mirror to judge the distance of non-motorized vehicles, the right-side window to observe pedestrian positions, and finally glance for any no-right-turn signs on the roadside. Once at a suburban intersection at night, I almost hit a jaywalking pedestrian due to no streetlights, which gave me a cold sweat. My instructor taught me the 'stop for three seconds' method: come to a complete stop, count to three silently, then turn. Also, be aware of blind spot differences between vehicle types—my hatchback has much larger blind spots than the instructor's sedan. When turning right, try to use the outermost lane to avoid crossing the line and getting caught on camera.

[MacMaria]

Having taught at a driving school for thirteen years, I demonstrate the right-turn rules in every lesson: first check if the traffic signal is an arrow type, then see if the ground lane has straight-and-right-turn markings. When encountering a circular red light, treat it as cautiously as a yellow warning light. During instruction, we've used model cars to simulate scenarios—failing to slow down when turning right results in a collision probability as high as 40%. I recommend beginners practice the 'three-point observation method': check the traffic signal through the front window, oncoming vehicles through the left window, and pedestrians through the right window. Last year during a student's test, someone failed because they didn't yield to pedestrians while turning right. In special weather conditions, remember to turn on the fog lights in advance.

[DeNova]

Every day while delivering food by bike, what I encounter the most are turning vehicles. Although the law allows right turns on red, many drivers don't pay attention to the bicycle lanes. Last week, I was sideswiped by a right-turning ride-hailing car, resulting in a scraped elbow and two days off work. I suggest drivers turn their heads to check the right side before turning, especially the 1.5-meter zone often used by delivery bikes. The areas around schools during morning and evening rush hours are the most dangerous, as children may suddenly dart out from between cars. On rainy days when mirrors are blurry, it's best to roll down the window for better visibility. Nowadays, I slow down and yield whenever I see a right-turning vehicle, especially since last year a colleague was dragged under a right-turning SUV and suffered fractures. Installing wide-angle convex mirrors at intersections can indeed reduce accidents.