Under what circumstances can you turn right at a traffic light?

[McManuel]

There are three situations where vehicles can turn right at a red light, as detailed below: Circular traffic lights: If the circular traffic light at an intersection turns red, vehicles in the right-turn lane can proceed to turn right directly. However, you must be careful not to interfere with other vehicles, as well as pedestrians and vehicles on the rear and right-side roads. Arrow-shaped right-turn indicator: If you encounter an arrow-shaped right-turn signal at a crossroad, you cannot turn right when the red arrow is lit. If you proceed to turn right, you will be considered to have run a red light. Additional sign on a circular red light: At some intersections with complex road conditions, you may sometimes see a reminder above the traffic light indicating whether right turns are allowed during a red light. If the sign says "Right Turn on Red," then you can turn right. If it says "No Right Turn on Red," you must wait for the green light before turning; otherwise, it will be considered running a red light. Laws and regulations: According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," motor vehicle signal lights and non-motor vehicle signal lights indicate the following: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to proceed. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding. At intersections without non-motor vehicle signal lights or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the instructions of the motor vehicle signal lights. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed, provided they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," the regulations regarding traffic lights are as follows: Article 25, Paragraph 2 states that traffic signals include traffic lights, traffic signs, traffic markings, and the directions of traffic police officers. Article 26 states that traffic lights consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition, a green light indicates permission, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 38 states that vehicles and pedestrians must follow traffic signals. If a traffic police officer is present and directing traffic, they must follow the officer's instructions. On roads without traffic signals, they should proceed under the principles of safety and smooth traffic flow. Article 62 states that pedestrians crossing intersections or roads should use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities. At crosswalks with traffic signals, they must follow the signals. At intersections without traffic signals or crosswalks, or when crossing roads without pedestrian facilities, they should proceed only after confirming safety. Article 89 states that pedestrians, passengers, or non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws or regulations regarding road passage 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. Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signals will result in a 6-point penalty. Right-turn precautions: Observe straight-moving vehicles on the left: When turning right, you must check both the right and left sides for oncoming traffic. Watch for left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction: In addition to observing straight-moving vehicles, you should also check for left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction. When turning right, always yield to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight. Watch for pedestrians: When turning right, besides checking for crosswalks at the intersection, you should also look for crosswalks at the corner. Be sure to observe whether there are pedestrians on the crosswalk.

[Rocha]

I often drive around the city, and turning right at red lights is quite common. Generally speaking, you can turn right when the light is red, but you need to check first if there's a circular red light with a diagonal slash prohibiting right turns. If there's a sign or a dedicated right-turn arrow signal showing red, you can't turn. Before turning right, you must come to a complete stop and make sure no pedestrians are crossing, especially with so many electric bikes around—they sometimes run red lights. Wait a few seconds to ensure it's safe before turning. Additionally, when turning, you must yield to vehicles going straight and not cut in, or you might risk a collision or a fine. From my years of driving experience, I've noticed small differences in rules across different places—for example, some intersections in Shanghai are particularly strict. Beginners are advised to take their time getting familiar. Once you develop good habits, the process becomes much smoother.