Is it allowed to turn right at a red light?
4 Answers
Turning right at a red light is permitted, provided there is no sign prohibiting right turns at the intersection. However, there is a prerequisite: the right turn must not interfere with the normal flow of traffic, and pedestrians on the crosswalk must be given the right of way. When making a right turn, vehicles must be in the right-turn lane. If a vehicle attempts to turn right from a straight or left-turn lane, traffic authorities will penalize it for running a red light. Therefore, if you intend to turn right, you should change lanes in advance. Waiting until the light turns red to change lanes may result in crossing solid lines, which is a traffic violation and can cause congestion. Legal Regulations: According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, the regulations regarding traffic lights are as follows: Article 25, Paragraph 2: Traffic signals include traffic lights, traffic signs, traffic markings, and the directions of traffic police. Article 26: Traffic lights consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light permits passage, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 38: Vehicles and pedestrians must follow traffic signals. In the presence of traffic police directing traffic, their instructions must be followed. On roads without traffic signals, passage should be conducted under the principles of safety and smooth traffic flow. Article 62: Pedestrians crossing intersections or roads should use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities. At signalized crosswalks, pedestrians must obey the traffic signals. At unsignalized intersections or road sections without crosswalks, pedestrians should cross only after confirming safety. Article 89: Pedestrians, passengers, and non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic laws and regulations regarding passage will be given a warning or fined between 5 and 50 yuan. Non-motor vehicle drivers who refuse to pay fines may have their vehicles impounded. Motor vehicle drivers who violate traffic light regulations will be penalized with 6 demerit points. Right-Turn Precautions: Observe oncoming straight-moving vehicles: When turning right, check both the right and left sides for approaching vehicles. Watch for opposing left-turning vehicles: In addition to straight-moving vehicles, be mindful of any vehicles making left turns from the opposite direction. When turning right, yield to vehicles coming from the left, whether they are turning left or going straight. Be aware of pedestrians: During a right turn, pay attention to pedestrians on crosswalks, which may be present both before the intersection and at the corner.
Last time I was practicing driving with a coach, I specifically asked about this issue. Simply put, observe the shape of the red light: a circular red light allows right turns when it's safe and doesn't interfere with pedestrians; but an arrow red light must be strictly followed—when the right-turn arrow turns red, it's absolutely prohibited to proceed. Enforcement varies significantly by region, so I recommend new drivers download their local traffic police app to check the detailed rules. Especially at intersections with signs that say 'No Right Turn on Red,' running one could cost you 6 points. At night, be extra cautious of electric bicycles on crosswalks—if caught by cameras failing to yield to pedestrians in poor visibility, you could face additional penalties.
Here's a pro tip for you: When making a right turn at a circular red light, first pull over to the right lane and come to a complete stop, then check the crosswalk and rearview mirror. You can proceed if there's no prohibition sign and pedestrians have cleared. Last week in Hangzhou, I encountered a special intersection—a combination of circular red light + 'No Right Turn' sign, which means you must wait for the green light. If it's a red light with a right-turn arrow, it's simpler: go when the arrow turns green, stop when red. I recommend installing a navigation app—it will announce 'Right turn allowed' or 'Please wait' based on real-time traffic rules. Remember, some cities are piloting complete red-light right-turn bans, so extra caution is needed when driving in unfamiliar areas.
I've reviewed Article 38 of the Implementation Regulations of Road Traffic Safety Law, which clearly states that when the motor vehicle signal is a circular traffic light, right turns are permitted provided they don't hinder passing vehicles or pedestrians. However, the situation became more complicated after last year's new national standard introduced mandatory specifications for arrow signals. Now, major arterial roads in big cities have mostly switched to arrow signals where turns are only allowed when the green arrow is lit. One tricky situation is that at some older intersections, the arrow signals are installed on auxiliary lanes and can easily be obscured by tree leaves. Last week, my colleague accidentally ran a red light at such an intersection and got penalized. When appealing, traffic police reviewed the surveillance footage which clearly showed the arrow signal was indeed red.
