Do I need to watch the traffic lights when driving on the auxiliary road?

[ODakota]

Auxiliary roads need to observe the traffic lights on the main road. When entering the main road from the auxiliary road, you should watch the straight-going signal lights of the main road, i.e., you can enter the main road when the signal light is green. Before entering the auxiliary road, you need to carefully observe the traffic lights. The method to check the traffic lights when entering the main road from the auxiliary road is as follows: 1. If there are no traffic lights when entering the main road from the auxiliary road: you can turn on the left turn signal and follow the green light traffic flow to enter the main road; 2. If there are traffic light turn indicators on the auxiliary road: you must drive according to the traffic light instructions; 3. Function: Generally, the main function of this light is to allow vehicles on the auxiliary road to directly enter the left-turn lane. If you want to turn left and go straight on the main road, you can merge when the green light is on, but you need to pay attention to the vehicles on the main road.

[LeJuliette]

I remember the first time I drove on a city feeder road, I was still wondering: since this isn't a main road, can I ignore the traffic lights? Then my colleague told me that as long as there are traffic signals installed on the feeder road, you must follow the rules just like on a main road, because they're there to coordinate traffic flow and prevent collisions. Once at an intersection, I was in a hurry to turn and didn't check the light, nearly brushing against a pedestrian—luckily I braked in time. Since then, I've developed a habit: whether it's a feeder road or an avenue, as long as the light is on, I obediently stop or proceed. This isn't just about avoiding traffic violations (like running a red light, which costs at least 6 points on your license), but more about protecting myself and others. At night when there's less traffic, feeder roads might feel more free, but when visibility is poor, you've got to keep an eye on those lights even more. In short, safe driving starts with watching the lights.

[DeJosephine]

Having driven for so many years, I've lost count of the times I've taken the auxiliary road, and I've always paid attention to traffic lights. The principle is simple: traffic signals are the guardians of traffic rules, regardless of whether it's a main road or an auxiliary road. As long as there's a light at the intersection, you must obey it. Some people think that because auxiliary roads are narrower, they can be more careless, but in reality, accidents often stem from this mindset. For example, last month on an auxiliary road in Shenzhen, a novice driver ran a red light and hit an electric scooter—what a hassle! According to the rules, vehicles have the right of way when the auxiliary road light is green, but must stop at red. If there's no light, look for yield signs. As an experienced driver, I also remind my novice friends: study the traffic rules thoroughly, don’t slack off on auxiliary roads, and develop good habits to make driving smoother and safer.

[Pete]

I commute by bicycle every day, using the side roads where I must pay attention to traffic signals. Side roads are typically shared spaces where vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians coexist, making traffic lights the key to everyone's safety. Once at a side road intersection, a car ran straight through a red light without looking, and I was nearly hit—just thinking about it still scares me! So, whether you're driving or cycling, never ignore the traffic signals on side roads. The rules require all road users to comply to avoid chaos. My personal experience is: assess the road conditions when the light changes before moving—it saves a lot of trouble.

[StDonovan]

When teaching children about rules, I always emphasize: Even on side roads, you must obey the traffic lights! It's like the bottom line of being a person—the lights are set up for orderly passage, ensuring vehicles and pedestrians take turns to cross. In reality, if side roads don't follow the signals, it can easily cause congestion or accidents. For example, last time on a side road near the park, the light was broken and everyone rushed forward, resulting in a complete gridlock. From a safety perspective, I suggest everyone develop the habit of slowing down and checking the traffic lights before crossing an intersection. Even if there are few vehicles on the side road, you can't afford to be careless. After all, rules aren't constraints—they're there to protect everyone's lives and property.

[DeLeonardo]

During my travels, I've been to service roads in different cities and found that the rules aren't entirely the same: in big cities like Guangzhou, service roads generally have traffic lights that require you to follow the signals; but in small towns, service roads may not have lights, and you just need to yield. Overall, the best practice is always to assume you need to follow the lights if they're present. That time in Chengdu on a service road, I mistakenly thought I didn't need to stop and ended up getting caught by a camera and fined—what a loss! So now when driving on service roads, I first look around the intersection to see if there are any signal devices; if there are, I follow the lights, which helps avoid tickets and risks. Sharing with others: learn the local traffic habits in advance, and stay alert to signal changes on service roads.