Is driving straight in a left-turn lane considered running a red light?
4 Answers
Driving straight in a left-turn lane is considered running a red light. Here are the relevant details: 1. When the left-turn signal is red: If the straight signal is green while the left-turn signal is red, proceeding straight from the left-turn lane constitutes running a red light. Please always drive according to regulations. According to the "Road Traffic Violation Scoring System," drivers who fail to follow traffic rules or stop properly at intersections will be penalized with a 2-point deduction. 2. When the straight signal is green: At intersections with standard three-color traffic lights, left turns are permitted on green, but drivers must yield to oncoming straight-moving vehicles. At intersections with arrow signals, if the straight arrow is green but the left-turn arrow is red, left turns are prohibited, though vehicles may enter the left-turn waiting zone. Once the left-turn arrow turns green, vehicles in the designated lane may proceed with the left turn.
I've encountered a similar situation! Last week, I was waiting at a left-turn lane when several cars ahead suddenly went straight, and the cars behind started honking like crazy. Later, I asked a traffic police friend, and he clearly stated that going straight in a dedicated lane marked with a left-turn arrow constitutes 'failing to follow the guided lane direction.' It's not considered running a red light, but it still results in penalty points and a fine. Even though the overhead signal might show a full-circle green light, the ground markings and intersection cameras will capture lane violations. My friend also mentioned that this type of violation usually carries a 100-yuan fine and 2 penalty points, which is lighter than running a red light, but it's particularly prone to causing rear-end collisions or side-swipe accidents during peak hours, making it very dangerous. He advised that even if you end up in the wrong lane, it's safer to proceed to the next intersection and make a U-turn rather than forcing your way through.
New drivers who just passed the road test often make this mistake. The instructor repeatedly emphasized that once you enter a left-turn arrow marked lane, even if the straight direction is green, you must follow the lane direction and turn. This is a typical lane violation. Electronic police use both induction loops and panoramic cameras for dual judgment. Last year, there was a local case where a driver went straight in a left-turn lane and collided with an oncoming e-bike, ultimately being deemed fully at fault and fined over 80,000 yuan. Develop the habit of prioritizing lane markings over traffic lights. If you miss your lane, it's better to take a detour than take risks.
From the perspective of right-of-way allocation, this issue is quite clear: the time and space resources of the left-turn lane are exclusively allocated to turning vehicles. Driving straight in a left-turn lane essentially encroaches on the right-of-way of turning vehicles, especially during peak hours, which can lead to congestion in the left-turn traffic flow. Although it doesn't count as running a red light when the signal is a full circular green, traffic police can still penalize drivers for not driving in the correct lane according to Article 38 of the Road Traffic Law. My neighbor was fined last month for this exact reason. Surveillance footage showed that he occupied the left-turn lane to drive straight, obstructing three turning vehicles behind him. The penalty ticket cited a violation of traffic marking instructions.
