Is a right turn on a red light considered running a red light?
2 Answers
To determine whether a vehicle has run a red light, the electronic eye needs to capture three photos. These are the front wheels crossing the stop line, the rear wheels crossing the stop line, and the front wheels crossing the opposite stop line. If the right-turn signal is a red arrow, the vehicle should stop at the stop line and wait for the green light before proceeding. Turning right on a red arrow signal is considered running a red light. If the right-turn signal is not a red arrow, turning right is allowed. According to the relevant regulations of the "Road Traffic Safety Regulations of the People's Republic of China": In the absence of special traffic instructions (such as traffic signs or police instructions), motor vehicles can turn right at a red light without it being considered a violation of running a red light. If there is a traffic sign (prohibiting right turns when the red light is on), motor vehicles cannot turn right when encountering a red light. Note: At intersections with signs prohibiting right turns, vehicles must stop when the red light is on. Turning right under these conditions is equivalent to running a red light. According to the latest 2013 version of traffic regulations, driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal lights results in a 6-point penalty. Special instructions: When the red light is on, right turns are prohibited. If there is an auxiliary sign next to the full-screen light stating "No right turn on red" or a no-right-turn sign, even if it is a full-screen red light, right turns are not allowed. Otherwise, it will be treated as running a red light, resulting in a 6-point penalty. When turning right, yield to pedestrians: Although full-screen lights allow right turns, always remember to yield to pedestrians. Otherwise, a fine and a 3-point penalty will be imposed. Straight lanes do not allow right turns: Right turns must be made from the right-turn lane, not from a straight lane. Right turns can only be made from the right-turn lane or a lane that combines straight and right turns. Making a right turn from a straight lane is considered driving in the wrong lane, resulting in a 2-point penalty. Right-turn precautions: While driving, plan and judge the route in advance: When preparing to turn right at the next intersection, the vehicle should enter the right-turn lane early. Generally, the rightmost one or two lanes are designated for right turns. Follow the signs and road markings for guidance. Before entering the right-turn lane, always use the turn signal and observe the traffic behind you. Right-turn lanes generally do not require stopping at red lights, as long as it is safe to proceed. However, at some intersections with right-turn traffic lights, you must wait for the green light before turning right. During the right turn, always follow traffic rules, use the right-turn signal, and proceed slowly and cautiously.
As a seasoned long-distance driver, I must say that turning right on a red light is generally not considered running a red light in most places, but the specifics depend on the traffic signal design. Turning right at a circular red light is usually allowed because traffic rules are designed with efficiency in mind—you just need to slow down and yield to pedestrians and through traffic. However, if the red light is an arrow-shaped red right-turn signal, you absolutely must not turn, or it will be considered running a red light. Based on my experience driving in over a dozen cities, I've found that some smaller cities tacitly allow right turns, while in major cities like Beijing, certain intersections have no-turn signs, and violations can result in a 200-yuan fine and 6 penalty points. For safety, I always make sure to observe the road conditions carefully before turning right to avoid accidents. After all, rules vary, and being confident in your understanding is key to driving with peace of mind.
