Can you turn right when the straight arrow is red?
2 Answers
Whether you can turn right when the straight arrow is red depends on the specific situation: 1. If the arrow light only indicates straight and left turns, and there is no right turn indication, you can turn right when the straight arrow is red; 2. If there is an arrow indicating a right turn, you need to follow the instruction of the right turn signal. When turning right, be careful not to affect straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians on the crosswalk, otherwise you may face penalties. Whether it's a straight arrow red light or a full-circle red light allowing a right turn, the vehicle must be in the rightmost lane. Failure to follow the correct lane may result in fines, points deduction, and could easily lead to rear-end collisions.
I've been driving a taxi for over a decade, and I remember that red lights with straight arrows are quite common. When the arrow is red, it means going straight is prohibited, but right turns are generally allowed unless there's a 'no right turn' sign at the intersection. It's often like this at intersections here—right turns are legal when the red arrow is on, but you have to be extra careful because pedestrians might be crossing or cyclists could suddenly appear. Once, I almost hit an electric bike running a red light, and since then, I've made it a habit to slow down before turning right, look both ways, and make sure the path is clear before proceeding. Rules might vary in different places, so I always check local traffic regulations to avoid tickets or accidents.
