Should You Stop When Encountering a Red Light After Turning Left?
2 Answers
You do not need to stop when encountering a red light after turning left. Straight Signal: Hold the baton in the right hand, extend the arm horizontally to the right, then bend the arm to the left and lower it, allowing vehicles going straight from both left and right directions to proceed; right-turning vehicles from all directions can proceed provided they do not hinder the passage of vehicles that have been given the right of way. Left Turn Signal: Hold the baton in the right hand, extend the arm straight forward, allowing left-turning and straight-moving vehicles from the left to proceed; when the left arm simultaneously swings toward the right front, small left turns are permitted; right-turning vehicles from all directions and straight-moving vehicles at T-intersections with no crossroad on the right can proceed provided they do not hinder the passage of vehicles that have been given the right of way. Stop Signal: Hold the baton in the right hand, bend the arm and extend it straight upward, prohibiting vehicles from proceeding, but vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue.
When I first got my driver's license, my instructor repeatedly emphasized a key point: if the light turns red while you're making a left turn and haven't completely cleared the intersection, as long as your wheels have crossed the stop line before the crosswalk, you must continue driving and not stop. Once, I was making a left turn downtown when the light suddenly turned red as I reached the center of the intersection, so I accelerated to complete the turn. If I had slammed on the brakes and stopped in the middle of the road at that moment, not only would I have blocked the cross traffic, but I might also have been rear-ended. The key is to look at the position of your wheels—if they've crossed the line, you can safely complete the turn. The driving school instructor also reminded beginners that hesitation in such situations can be dangerous, and it's important to be decisive, as safety always comes first.
