Under what circumstances can you turn right at a traffic light?
2 Answers
Whether motor vehicles can turn right at an intersection depends on the following situations: Circular traffic light: If the circular traffic light at the intersection turns red and there are no other lights, vehicles in the right-turn lane can turn right directly. However, be careful not to interfere with other vehicles, as well as pedestrians and vehicles on the road behind and to the right. Arrow-shaped right-turn indicator: If there is a circular red light and an arrow-shaped right-turn sign next to it, you need to look at the right-turn arrow light. When the red arrow is lit, you cannot turn right. If you turn right, it will be considered running a red light. A sign is added to the circular red light: At some intersections with complex road conditions, you may sometimes encounter a reminder above the traffic light indicating whether you can turn right when the light is red. If the prompt says "Right turn on red," then you can turn right. If the prompt says "No right turn on red," you must wait for the green light before turning. No right turn sign: When encountering a circular red light, also check if there is a no right turn sign nearby. If there is, you cannot turn right either. The rightmost lane is not a right-turn lane: In some areas, the rightmost lane may not necessarily be a right-turn lane. You should drive according to the lane markings on the ground, not the circular traffic 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 traffic lights and non-motor vehicle traffic lights indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to pass, but turning vehicles must not hinder the passage of straight-going vehicles and pedestrians. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line can continue to pass. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing. At intersections without non-motor vehicle traffic lights or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the instructions of the motor vehicle traffic lights. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles can pass if they do not hinder the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," the regulations on traffic lights are as follows: Article 25, Paragraph 2 stipulates that traffic signals include traffic lights, traffic signs, traffic markings, and the command of traffic police. 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 indicates a warning. Article 38 states that vehicles and pedestrians should follow traffic signals; when there is on-site command by traffic police, they should follow the command of the traffic police; on roads without traffic signals, they should pass under the principle of ensuring safety and smoothness. Article 62 states that pedestrians should use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities when crossing intersections or roads; when crossing at a crosswalk with traffic lights, they should follow the instructions of the traffic lights; when crossing at an intersection without traffic lights or crosswalks, or when crossing a road without pedestrian facilities, they should cross after confirming safety. Article 89 states that pedestrians, passengers, and non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road passage will be given a warning or fined between 5 and 50 yuan; non-motor vehicle drivers who refuse to accept the fine may have their non-motor vehicles impounded. Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic light signals will result in a 6-point penalty. Right-turn precautions: Pay attention to straight-going vehicles on the left: When turning right, you should look both to the right and to the left for vehicle conditions. Pay attention to left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction: In addition to observing straight-going vehicles, you also need to check if there are left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction. When turning right, pay attention to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight, and let them pass first. Pay attention to pedestrians: When turning right, in addition to the crosswalk in front of the intersection, there may also be a crosswalk at the corner. When turning right, pay attention to whether there are pedestrians on the crosswalk.
When it comes to turning right at traffic lights, I believe safety is the top priority. With over a decade of driving experience, I’ve learned it’s best to stop briefly before turning. Generally, you can turn right at a red light, but you must yield to all oncoming vehicles and pedestrians—never rush or cut in. Check for any 'No Right Turn' signs; if none are present, proceed but thoroughly observe your surroundings—especially for sudden appearances of bicycles or e-bikes, which are quite common. If the light is green, go ahead and turn, but avoid trying it on a yellow light—the risk is too high. I still remember a minor scrape I had when rushing a right turn on a rainy day with slippery roads. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to slow down, check my side mirrors, and watch the crosswalk. Though the rules are simple, patiently following them can prevent 90% of accidents, especially during rush hour or on unfamiliar roads. Waiting a few extra seconds is nothing compared to the value of life. Developing these detailed habits will make you a more confident driver.
