Can You Turn Right Without Looking at the Traffic Light?
2 Answers
When turning right, drivers must observe the traffic lights. There are two types of traffic lights: circular traffic lights and arrow-shaped traffic lights. When needing to turn right, if the traffic light encountered is circular and there are no auxiliary signs prohibiting right turns on red around, then you do not need to wait for the red light to turn right. If the traffic light is arrow-shaped, you cannot turn right when the right-turn arrow is red. You can only turn right when the right-turn arrow turns green; otherwise, you will be penalized by law enforcement for running a red light. Laws and Regulations: According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, the regulations on traffic lights are as follows: Article 25, Paragraph 2 stipulates 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 requires that vehicles and pedestrians shall proceed according to 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 proceed under the principle of ensuring safety and smooth traffic. Article 62 states that pedestrians crossing intersections or roads shall use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities; when crossing at signalized crosswalks, they shall follow the traffic light signals; when crossing at intersections without traffic lights or crosswalks, or when crossing roads without pedestrian facilities, they shall proceed after confirming safety. Article 89 stipulates that pedestrians, passengers, or non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws and 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 non-motor vehicles impounded. Article 2 of the Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations states that motor vehicle drivers committing any of the following violations shall be penalized with 6 points: Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic light signals. Precautions for Right Turns: Observe oncoming straight-moving vehicles: When turning right, you must watch for vehicles both on the right and left. Observe oncoming left-turning vehicles: Besides watching for straight-moving vehicles, you should also check for any left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction. When turning right, pay attention to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight, and yield to them. Watch for pedestrians: When turning right, besides the crosswalk before the intersection, there may also be crosswalks at the corner. Be sure to check for pedestrians on the crosswalks when turning right.
I've been driving for over a decade, and this issue is actually quite simple but easily misunderstood. Right turns must obey traffic lights—it's a fundamental traffic rule. At intersections, making a right turn on a red light could result in an immediate ticket or an accident. I've seen many beginners think they can slip through, only to collide with oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. Safety should always come first; don’t cut corners. Remember to stop and observe before turning right on red: first, check if the light has turned green, then assess the road conditions to ensure there are no pedestrians or vehicles before proceeding. When the light is green, you can turn normally, but stay alert for sudden bicycles. At certain special intersections, like those with dedicated right-turn arrows, you cannot turn if the arrow is red. Developing this habit can save you hundreds in fines and, more importantly, protect yourself and others. In short, driving is no joke—always pay attention to traffic signals with every turn.
