Can you turn right at a Y-shaped intersection with a red light?
2 Answers
At a Y-shaped intersection, you can turn right when the light is red if there is a clear right-turn arrow signal, and you must obey the traffic light. If there is no red light prohibiting right turns at the intersection, you can turn right. Most traffic lights do not have arrow indicators, while some have left-turn arrow signals. At such intersections, you can still turn right when the light is red. At certain special intersections, right turns must also comply with the traffic light, and these intersections usually have signs to alert drivers. When driving on general urban roads, as long as you do not speed, run red lights, smoke while driving, make phone calls, and fasten your seatbelt, you will not commit any traffic violations. Laws and Regulations: 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 of passage, a green light indicates permission to pass, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 38 states that vehicles and pedestrians shall pass in accordance with traffic signals; when directed by traffic police on-site, they shall follow the directions of the traffic police; on roads without traffic signals, they shall pass under the principles of safety and smooth traffic. Article 62 states that pedestrians crossing intersections or roads shall use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities; when crossing signalized crosswalks, they shall follow the traffic light signals; when crossing intersections without traffic signals or crosswalks, or crossing roads without pedestrian facilities, they shall cross 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 shall be given a warning or fined between 5 and 50 yuan; non-motor vehicle drivers who refuse to accept the fine may have their vehicles impounded. Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic light signals results in a 6-point penalty. Right-Turn Precautions: Observe oncoming straight-moving vehicles: When turning right, check both the right and left sides for oncoming traffic. Observe opposing left-turning vehicles: In addition to watching for straight-moving vehicles, also check for opposing left-turning vehicles. When turning right, yield to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight. Watch for pedestrians: When turning right, besides crosswalks before the intersection, there may also be crosswalks at the corner. Always check for pedestrians on the crosswalks.
As a seasoned driver who frequently navigates city streets, I find this to be a pretty common question. Generally speaking, whether you can turn right at a red light depends on the specific intersection. For those Y-shaped intersections that are a bit crooked, where the branching roads seem to merge but the traffic light is still red—in most places, especially big cities—you can theoretically make a right turn as long as you don’t block through traffic or pedestrians and there’s no 'No Right Turn' sign posted. However, I should remind you that Y-shaped intersections often have more complex road layouts, and your line of sight might be obstructed—like too many curves or trees and obstacles nearby—so slow down, take an extra look, and make absolutely sure it’s safe before turning to avoid rear-end collisions or hitting pedestrians. Also, don’t forget that rules can vary slightly between cities—for example, some intersections in Shanghai strictly prohibit any right turns on red, while Guangzhou is more lenient. You’ll pick up on these nuances over time as you drive more. Bottom line: check the traffic light first, then the road signs, prioritize safety, and never take chances by running a red light.
