Do you need to look at traffic lights when turning right in a car?
3 Answers
You need to look at traffic lights when turning right. When there is a right-turn arrow signal at an intersection, vehicles cannot turn right when the signal is red. When there is no right-turn arrow signal at an intersection, vehicles in the right-turn lane can turn right even if the signal is red, but they must not interfere with the passage of released vehicles and pedestrians. Precautions for right turns: Traffic lights: Circular or spherical lights generally do not restrict right turns, but in some cases, there may be nearby signs indicating that right turns are prohibited on red or allowed only at certain times, so special attention is required. Ground guidance lines: On some roads, the rightmost guidance line may not have a right-turn arrow, so special attention is needed. 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 may be penalized for running a red light. Laws and regulations: According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," the provisions on traffic lights are as follows: Article 25, Paragraph 2 states 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, a green light indicates permission, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 38 states 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 intersections without traffic lights or crosswalks, or when crossing roads without pedestrian facilities, they shall proceed after confirming safety. Article 89 states that pedestrians, passengers, and 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. Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic light signals will result in a 6-point penalty. Precautions for right turns: Observe vehicles going straight from the left: When turning right, you need to check both the right and left sides for vehicle conditions. Observe vehicles turning left from the opposite direction: In addition to watching for vehicles going straight, you also need to check for vehicles turning left from the opposite direction. When turning right, pay attention to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight, and let them pass first. Observe pedestrians: When turning right, besides checking for crosswalks before the intersection, there may also be crosswalks at the corner. Pay attention to whether there are pedestrians on the crosswalks when turning right.
As a driver with years of experience, I can tell you that checking traffic lights is absolutely necessary when making a right turn. This is not a minor habit to overlook; in actual driving, traffic signals indicate when it's safe to turn. If you turn right without checking the light when it's red, you might run a red light and get penalized, or worse—collide with oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. I remember once in the city when I forgot to check the light while turning, and it happened to be red—I nearly had an accident. Safety comes first, so I always make it a habit to stop and confirm the traffic light status before turning: only proceed cautiously if it's green or there's no specific 'No Right Turn' sign. Developing this habit can help avoid major troubles during peak hours and make driving more reassuring.
From the perspective of traffic regulations, vehicles making right turns must observe traffic signals. This is a fundamental driving requirement because traffic lights control right-of-way allocation. Many jurisdictions explicitly prohibit right turns on red lights unless permitted by signage. Failure to obey signals may result in fines and penalty points for minor violations, or even cause accidents in severe cases. I believe drivers must memorize signal color meanings—red means stop, green means go, and arrows indicate specific directions. Simply glancing at the signal before turning can reduce collision risks by 50%. Intersection designs may vary—some incorporate pedestrian signals, and ignoring them is playing with fire. Traffic rules exist to protect lives, and compliance is every driver's responsibility.
