Is it allowed to turn right at a red light?

[DelJason]

First scenario: Right turn is permitted. The conditions are that the red light is a circular signal, and it does not obstruct vehicles or pedestrians that have the right of way. Second scenario: If there is a 'No Right Turn' sign next to the red light, turning right is prohibited and doing so would be considered running a red light. Third scenario: When in a straight-only lane, right turns are not allowed. Fourth scenario: If the red light includes a right-turn arrow, right turns are not permitted. Fifth scenario: U-turns are allowed, provided there is no sign permitting right turns. When making a right turn, the vehicle must be in the right-turn lane. If a vehicle attempts to turn right from a straight or left-turn lane, law enforcement will penalize it for running a red light. Therefore, to make a right turn, the vehicle should change lanes in advance. Waiting until the light turns red to change lanes can easily lead to crossing solid lines, which is a traffic violation and can cause congestion. Legal regulations: According to the 'Road Traffic Safety Law', the regulations on traffic lights are as follows: Article 25, Paragraph 2 states that traffic signals include traffic lights, traffic signs, road markings, and the directions of traffic police. Article 26 specifies that traffic lights consist of red, green, and yellow lights. Red means stop, green means go, and yellow serves as a warning. Article 38 requires that vehicles and pedestrians proceed according to traffic signals; when directed by traffic police on site, they must follow the police's directions; on roads without traffic signals, they should proceed under the principles of safety and smooth traffic flow. Article 62 mandates that pedestrians use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities when crossing intersections or roads; at signalized crosswalks, they must follow the traffic lights; at unsignalized intersections or road crossings without pedestrian facilities, they should cross only after confirming safety. Article 89 stipulates that pedestrians, passengers, and non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road usage will be given a warning or fined between 5 and 50 yuan; non-motor vehicle drivers who refuse to pay the fine may have their vehicles impounded. According to Article 2 of the 'Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations', motor vehicle drivers committing any of the following violations will be penalized with 6 points: Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic light signals. Precautions for right turns: Observe oncoming straight-moving vehicles: When turning right, check both the right and left sides for vehicle movement. Watch for opposing left-turning vehicles: In addition to straight-moving vehicles, be aware of any vehicles making left turns from the opposite direction. When turning right, yield to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight. Be mindful of pedestrians: During a right turn, besides the crosswalk before the intersection, there may also be a crosswalk at the corner. Always check for pedestrians on the crosswalk when turning right.

[VanPaisley]

I've been driving for over a decade and often encounter situations where there's only a red light and I wonder if I can make a right turn. Based on my years of experience, it really depends on the specific circumstances. Generally, where I live, right turns are permitted if there's no 'No Right Turn' sign and it's safe to do so. However, the first step is always to come to a complete stop—not just slow down but stop completely—then carefully look around for any pedestrians, cyclists, or oncoming traffic. Safety always comes first; never act recklessly, especially in bad weather when visibility is poor and mistakes are easily made. Additionally, urban intersections often have cameras, and violations can be recorded and fined—I certainly don't want to waste money. I recommend all drivers develop the habit of stopping and observing, rather than trying to save a few seconds. If you're really unsure, it's better to wait a few more seconds for the light to turn green than to take unnecessary risks. For new drivers, it's best to check the local traffic regulations on the transportation department's website to avoid confusion on the road.