Can you turn right when the straight arrow is red?
4 Answers
No. For arrow traffic lights, you can only turn right when the right-turn arrow is green, and you must be in the right-turn lane to do so. If you are in the straight lane, you cannot turn right regardless of whether the straight arrow is red or green. Below is some relevant information about turning at straight arrow signals: 1. Motor vehicle signals and non-motor vehicle signals: At intersections without non-motor vehicle signals or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signals. When the light is red, right-turning vehicles may proceed if they do not hinder the passage of released vehicles or pedestrians. 2. Right-turn lane signal settings at intersections: When the signal is a circular light, if there is no 'No right turn on red' sign at the intersection, you may turn right; if there is such a sign, right turns are prohibited. Check if there is a 'No right turn' sign at the intersection—if there is, you cannot turn right; if not, you may turn right. When the arrow is red, if there is a right-turn arrow signal, you can determine whether a right turn is allowed based on the color of the right-turn arrow light.
When I first got my driver's license, I was really confused by the straight red arrow traffic lights because the red arrow was so prominent that it felt like all vehicles had to stop. I remember at an intersection in Nanjing, I attempted to make a right turn but was afraid of violating traffic rules, so I quickly stopped to check the traffic law handbook. The book stated that such arrow lights mainly apply to the direction indicated by the arrow—for example, a red straight arrow means no going straight, but it doesn’t prohibit right turns unless there’s a specific no-right-turn sign or a separate red light. Through practical experience, I learned to slow down and observe: make sure there are no pedestrians on the crosswalk and no vehicles rushing from left or right before safely making the turn. Accumulating experience during the novice period is crucial. I recommend downloading a local traffic rules app for reference and developing the habit of slowing down to almost a complete stop at intersections—never act recklessly. This not only helps avoid tickets but also ensures pedestrian safety, as accidents often happen when drivers rush without checking the road.
Having driven for a lifetime, I've seen too many cases involving straight red arrow right turns. Throughout my years of driving experience, the rule is clear: a straight red arrow only prohibits traffic in that direction, while right turns are usually unaffected unless there's a no-right-turn sign at the intersection. I always slow down a few meters in advance, glancing around for pedestrians or electric bikes, especially being extra cautious when the streets are crowded. Traffic signal design inherently aims to separate directional conflicts, with arrow lights intended to control straight-through traffic without affecting turns. Experience tells me not to panic—taking it slow ensures no mistakes; even if other cars make quick right turns, it's best to stick to one's own rhythm. An important reminder is that some cities have highly sensitive traffic cameras, and getting caught making an illegal turn would be unjustified. Safe driving is always the top priority—those few seconds aren't worth risking.
From a safety perspective, I emphasize that right turns under a straight red arrow require extreme caution. Such signals typically only prohibit movement in the arrow's direction, allowing right turns when no prohibition signs exist, but drivers must come to a complete stop and yield to all priority parties like pedestrians and vehicles with green lights. The potential risks are significant - statistics show 70% of right-turn accidents occur due to failure to yield. I recommend drivers make a full stop at intersections, check blind spots thoroughly, and ensure complete safety before proceeding. While rules may vary slightly by region, the core principle remains unchanged: defensive driving prevents collisions - avoiding risks is paramount.
