Do you need to look at traffic lights when turning left and rear in a car?
3 Answers
When turning left and rear in a car, you need to observe the traffic lights. Vehicles must wait for a green light to make a left and rear turn at an intersection and cannot proceed when the light is red; at a circular traffic light, you can turn left when the light is green; at an intersection with arrow traffic lights, you should turn left when both the left turn arrow and the green light are on. Traffic lights, also known as traffic signals, are indicators that show whether vehicles and pedestrians can proceed. They are usually installed at locations requiring traffic control, such as intersections, and generally consist of red, green, and yellow lights. According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law," when the green light is on, vehicles and pedestrians are allowed to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians; when the red light is on, passage is prohibited. Right-turning vehicles can proceed if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians; when the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line can continue to proceed.
As someone who has driven for many years, I firmly believe that watching the traffic light is absolutely essential when making a left turn—it's a fundamental safety principle. Accidents frequently occur at intersections because drivers force left turns during red lights, colliding with oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. I've personally witnessed a tragic rear-end collision. Traffic lights are the batons of traffic control; ignoring them is equivalent to disregarding the rules, which may result in penalty points, fines, or worse, life-threatening dangers. You can turn when the light is green, but first confirm there are no oncoming vehicles or obstacles. If there’s a dedicated left-turn arrow signal, wait for it to light up before proceeding. Developing the habit of glancing at the signal before every turn can prevent 80% of accidents. This is especially crucial in urban driving, where signals change quickly, and ignoring them multiplies the risks. Safety comes first—start with yourself, always operate cautiously, and never rush through a yellow light for convenience.
From a legal perspective, left turns must strictly adhere to traffic signals to avoid violations. Traffic regulations explicitly state that red means stop and green means go, with violators potentially facing a 200 yuan fine or even 6 penalty points. I remember during driver's license training, the instructor repeatedly emphasized checking signals before turning - only proceed when the light is green and opposing traffic is minimal, otherwise full liability may apply. For instance, last year a driver was caught by surveillance cameras making a left turn on red at an intersection, leading to complicated legal consequences. These rules protect everyone's interests, as ignoring signals disrupts order and triggers chain reactions. It's advisable to decelerate in advance, observe signal changes carefully, and only turn when safe - this ensures both compliance and peace of mind. Regulations provide the framework; we must strictly follow them to maintain road harmony.
