Can You Turn Right on a Red Light in a Straight and Right-Turn Lane?
4 Answers
You can turn right on a red light in a straight and right-turn lane. Below are the relevant requirements for turning right on a red light: Cases where you can turn right on a red light: In China, traffic keeps to the right. If the red light ahead consists of two sets of circular signal lights, you can turn right directly. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law Implementation Regulations": When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed provided they do not hinder the passage of vehicles or pedestrians that have been given the right of way. Cases where you cannot turn right on a red light: If the red light ahead consists of three sets of circular signal lights and the red light is controlled by lane, you cannot turn right directly; if the red light ahead consists of three sets of signal lights and the red light is in the form of an arrow, you cannot turn right directly.
When encountering a combined straight and right-turn lane with a red light while driving, I usually check first if there's a specific no-turn sign at the intersection. In most places, you can still turn right on red, but the key is to safely yield to pedestrians and through traffic—don't get so focused on moving that you forget to observe. Like last week at a city intersection: the light was red but there was no prohibition sign, so I proceeded to turn right slowly, only to nearly hit an e-bike that darted out—thankfully I braked in time. These rules exist to maintain traffic flow, but if you see a red arrow pointing right or a 'No Right Turn on Red' sign, definitely don't force your way through. Remember, safety always comes first—before turning right, double-check your mirrors and blind spots to ensure no cyclists or pedestrians are approaching.
When encountering a red light on a straight-and-right-turn lane, I usually proceed to turn right, but with extra caution. Having driven for over a decade and navigated intersections in many cities, I've found that most intersections allow right turns on red unless explicitly prohibited. For instance, near a highway entrance once, a 'No Turn on Red' sign forced me to wait for green. Experience tells me that overlooking such details can lead to tickets or accidents. When turning right, slow down, especially checking for pedestrians crossing, and yield to through traffic. If it's a shared lane, don't assume red means stop—just ensure the signal isn't an arrow type.
Red light but still in the straight and right-turn lane? Don't panic, I've handled similar situations. Most of the time you can turn right, but first look around for any prohibition signs. For example, if there's a special red arrow or text sign at the intersection prohibiting right turns, then wait obediently for the green light. Before turning right, make sure no one is crossing the street and yield to vehicles with the right of way. Simply put: a red light may not stop you from turning, but safety is the key.
