How many points are deducted for turning left from a straight lane?
2 Answers
According to Article 3 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Violation Points Scoring Standards,' turning left from a straight lane results in a deduction of 3 points. Rules for left turns at traffic light intersections: If there is a dedicated arrow signal, you must follow its instructions; if there is no dedicated arrow, left-turning vehicles can turn left when the straight signal is green, provided they do not interfere with oncoming straight traffic. U-turns are allowed where there is no prohibition sign, but if there is a 'No Left Turn or U-turn' sign, U-turns must be avoided. According to regulations, motor vehicles must not make U-turns at locations with 'No U-turn' or 'No Left Turn' signs and markings, as well as at railway crossings, pedestrian crosswalks, bridges, sharp curves, steep slopes, tunnels, or other hazardous sections of the road. Precautions for left turns in cars: Try to make a wider turn to avoid obstruction or collisions. Check the rearview mirrors while turning to ensure there are no vehicles or pedestrians behind or to the side. Be aware of blind spots to avoid hitting the curb or causing scratches. Always check for obstacles below the rearview mirrors before turning, and if necessary, open the door to take a look before proceeding.
I remember in my first few years of driving, I was in a hurry once and made a left turn from a straight-only lane at an intersection. I got caught by the camera, lost 2 points, and was fined 200 yuan. Driving requires following the rules—it's no small matter. Straight lanes are for going straight only; left turns must be made from the left-turn lane. Otherwise, accidents can happen, like scraping the car next to you or hitting a pedestrian. Now, I always check the arrows on the road and change lanes early. Otherwise, not only do you get stuck in traffic, but you also have to pay fines and retake points. New drivers often make this mistake. I recommend installing a traffic management app to check real-time rules, so you don’t end up clueless like I was back then. In short, safety comes first. Losing points may seem minor, but the impact can be huge—if you exceed the limit in a year, you might have to retake the test.
