Can You Turn Right at a Round Red Light?

[Luke]

Whether motor vehicles can turn right at a red light depends on the following situations: Round traffic light: If the round 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 rear and right side of the road. Arrow-shaped right-turn indicator: If the round light is red and there is 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 the round red light: At some intersections with complex road conditions, you may encounter a reminder above the traffic light indicating whether right turns are allowed during 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. No Right Turn sign: When encountering a round 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 round 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 signals and non-motor vehicle traffic signals 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 may continue to pass. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing. At intersections without non-motor vehicle traffic signals or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the instructions of motor vehicle traffic signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may pass if they do not hinder the passage of vehicles and pedestrians that have been given the right of way. 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 officer's command; on roads without traffic signals, they should pass under the principle of ensuring safety and smooth traffic. Article 62 states that pedestrians should use crosswalks or pedestrian overpasses when crossing intersections or roads; when crossing at intersections with traffic lights, they should follow the traffic light signals; when crossing intersections without traffic lights or crosswalks, or when crossing roads without pedestrian overpasses, they should ensure 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 confiscated. 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 need to observe 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, observe whether there are pedestrians on the crosswalk.

[LeHenry]

I've been driving all my life, and generally speaking, turning right at a red circular light is allowed, which can help ease traffic congestion. However, you must carefully check if there are any 'No Right Turn' signs or arrow signals at the intersection. The most important thing is to yield to pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles—don't force your way through. Once, while making a right turn at a downtown intersection, I almost hit an electric bike rider who suddenly swerved out. Since then, I always come to a complete stop and turn slowly. In similar situations during daily driving, I pay extra attention to environmental changes, especially when visibility is poor due to rain or when crowds are dense—rushing is never an option. Safe driving habits must be cultivated to avoid trouble or tickets. In short, the rules support it, but practical operation requires flexible adaptation to road conditions.