Can You Turn Right on a Straight Red Light?

[AnastasiaRose]

Whether you can turn right when the straight light is red depends on the specific situation. With an arrow red light, if both the straight red light and the right-turn arrow red light are illuminated simultaneously, right turns are prohibited. With a circular red light, if there is a "No Right Turn on Red" sign at the intersection, right turns are prohibited. Additionally, if there is a "No Right Turn" sign at the intersection, right turns are not allowed. Otherwise, when the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed provided they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. More details are as follows: I. Non-motorized vehicle traffic lights: These consist of a set of circular units with bicycle symbols in red, yellow, and green, guiding non-motorized vehicles. II. Relevant provisions of Article 10, Chapter 2 of the "Regulations on Road Traffic Safety of the People's Republic of China": 1. Traffic light signals: (1) When the green light is on, vehicles and pedestrians are permitted to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians; (2) When the yellow light is on, vehicles and pedestrians are generally not allowed to proceed, except for vehicles that have already crossed the stop line and pedestrians already in the crosswalk, who may continue; (3) When the red light is on, vehicles and pedestrians are not permitted to proceed; (4) When the green arrow light is on, vehicles are allowed to proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow; (5) When the yellow light flashes, vehicles and pedestrians may proceed under the principle of ensuring safety. Right-turning vehicles and straight-moving vehicles at a T-intersection without a crosswalk on the right may proceed under conditions (2) and (3) above, provided they do not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. The first two provisions also apply to people walking in queues or herding or riding livestock. Thus, in the absence of specific traffic instructions (such as traffic signs or police directions), motor vehicles may turn right on a red light without violating traffic rules.