Under what circumstances is it not allowed to turn right at a red light?
3 Answers
It is not allowed to turn right at a red light under the following circumstances: 1. If there is a "No Right Turn" sign next to the circular signal, turning right is prohibited. 2. You cannot turn right when facing a red arrow signal. 3. If the vehicle is not in the right-turn lane but in a straight-through lane, turning right is prohibited at any time. You can turn right at a red light under the following circumstances: 1. Generally, when there is no right-turn arrow signal at the intersection, vehicles are allowed to turn right, and the right turn is not affected by the circular signal or straight-through arrow signal. 2. When there is only a circular signal at the intersection, turning right is permitted even when the light is red.
I've been driving for over 20 years and know that in China's traffic rules, turning right at a red light is generally allowed, which helps keep traffic flowing smoothly. However, there are certain situations where you absolutely must not turn, such as when there's a clear 'No Right Turn on Red' sign at the intersection—you must come to a complete stop. Additionally, if the traffic signal is an arrow light showing red, it's explicitly telling you to stop and not move. Once, I was in a hurry and didn't notice the arrow light, resulting in a 200-yuan fine and penalty points—a real lesson learned. Also, the principle of pedestrian priority is crucial; when turning right, if there are pedestrians on the crosswalk, regardless of the traffic light, you must not cut them off and should wait for them to cross. In cities, there are many surveillance cameras, and reckless turns can be recorded and fined. In my daily driving, I've developed the habit of slowing down and observing the surroundings when turning right at a red light, ensuring there are no prohibitive signs or pedestrians rushing out before proceeding. This habit has helped me avoid many accidents.
When teaching beginners to drive, I always emphasize the exceptions for turning right on red. First, check if there's a 'No Right Turn' sign at the intersection—if present, turning is absolutely prohibited. Traffic signals are also crucial; if it's a red arrow light, it specifically prohibits right turns, and proceeding would be a violation. Pedestrian safety comes first—if people are on or near the crosswalk, a right turn could endanger them, so you must stop. I recommend reducing speed to a minimum before every right turn on red, observing carefully before proceeding. With 20 years of driving experience, I've witnessed many accidents caused by negligence, like drivers checking their phones and missing 'No Turn' signs, leading to rear-end collisions or pedestrian incidents. Developing this vigilance can save lives.
