Is turning left at a circular red light considered running a red light?
3 Answers
Turning left at a circular red light is considered running a red light. According to Article 26 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: Traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to pass, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 44 states: Motor vehicles passing through intersections shall proceed according to traffic signals, traffic signs, traffic markings, or the command of traffic police. Relevant information about traffic lights is as follows: 1. Introduction: Traffic signals are lights that command traffic operation, generally composed of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to pass, and a yellow light serves as a warning. 2. Control methods: The most basic control method is timed control at a single intersection. Line control and area control can also use timed control methods, also known as static line control systems and static area control systems.
I've been driving for almost 20 years, and turning left at a solid red light is something you really need to be careful about. In my experience, it's basically considered running a red light unless there's a specific sign allowing left turns. For example, last month at an intersection downtown, I encountered a solid red light and thought about turning left directly, but almost hit a pedestrian—luckily I managed to brake in time. Remember, a solid red light prohibits all vehicle movement in any direction, including left turns. The rule is designed to safely separate traffic flows. If you turn left, you might get caught on camera and face points deduction or fines, or even cause an accident in severe cases. I recommend checking local traffic rule apps more often—regulations vary slightly between cities—but safe driving is always the top priority. Don’t take risks just to save time.
I also struggled with this issue when I first got my driver's license. The instructor said that turning left under a solid red light usually counts as running a red light, and you must wait for the green light or green arrow to appear. In cities like Beijing, unless there's a sign saying 'Left Turn Permitted on Red,' you should never turn. New drivers often make mistakes because they don't clearly see the type of traffic signal. I've seen a friend get fined 300 yuan and lose 3 points for this. Safe driving starts with understanding the rules—practice more, drive slowly, and avoid rushing to prevent collisions.
