Under Which Light Can You Turn Right at a Red Light?

[LaMadeline]

You can turn right at a red light under the following circumstances: If there is an arrow signal light at the intersection, right turns are only permitted when the right-turn arrow is green; otherwise, right turns are prohibited. If there is a sign prohibiting right turns at a red light at the intersection, right turns are only allowed when the light is green. If there are no other signs at the intersection, vehicles can turn right at a red light as long as it does not interfere with the normal movement of other vehicles and pedestrians. Circular traffic lights, arrow-shaped right-turn indicators, or circular red lights with an additional sign. Generally, drivers need to observe traffic lights when making a right turn, but not all roads require waiting for a green light to turn right. When there is a sign at the end of the road, some signs allow vehicles to turn right under safe conditions. Circular traffic lights: If the circular traffic light turns red at an intersection, vehicles in the right-turn lane can proceed to turn right. However, you must ensure not to interfere with other vehicles, as well as pedestrians and vehicles on the rear and right side of the road. Arrow-shaped right-turn indicators: If you encounter an arrow-shaped right-turn sign at an intersection, you cannot turn right when the red arrow is lit. If you turn right, it will be considered running a red light. Circular red lights with an additional sign: At some complex intersections, you may encounter a sign above the traffic light indicating whether right turns are allowed at a red light. If the sign says "Right Turn on Red," you can turn right. If it says "No Right Turn on Red," you must wait for the green 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 and non-motor vehicle traffic signals indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to proceed, but turning vehicles must not hinder the passage of straight-moving vehicles and 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 or pedestrian crosswalk signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the instructions of motor vehicle traffic signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed 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 states that traffic signals include traffic lights, traffic signs, traffic markings, and the direction of traffic police. Article 26 states that traffic lights consist of red, green, and yellow lights. Red means stop, green means go, and yellow means caution. Article 38 states that vehicles and pedestrians should follow traffic signals; when directed by traffic police on-site, follow their instructions; on roads without traffic signals, proceed under the principle of ensuring safety and smooth traffic. Article 62 states that pedestrians should use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities when crossing intersections or roads; at crosswalks with traffic lights, follow the traffic light signals; at intersections without traffic lights or crosswalks, or when crossing roads without pedestrian facilities, proceed 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 pay the fine may have their vehicles impounded. Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic light 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 vehicles. Observe left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction: In addition to straight-moving vehicles, also check for left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction. When turning right, yield to vehicles on the left, whether they are turning left or going straight. Observe pedestrians: When turning right, besides the crosswalk before the intersection, there may also be a crosswalk at the corner. Always check for pedestrians on the crosswalk when turning right.

[McLuna]

I've always been curious about whether I can turn right at a red light, and it turns out it depends on the type of traffic signal. Generally, if I encounter a red light while driving, I can only turn right when there's a dedicated green right-turn arrow. What does that light look like? It's usually a standalone signal, like a green arrow pointing to the right, used in combination with a standard circular red light. If there's no such arrow signal and it's just a solid red light, I have to stop and wait for the green light. Oh, and I also need to watch out for any 'No Right Turn' signs near the intersection—even if there's an arrow signal, I can't turn right if there's such a sign. It's best to develop the habit of glancing at the traffic signals and surroundings, like pedestrians or cyclists, to ensure a safe turn. This rule is common nationwide, but details may vary slightly from place to place. With more driving experience, you'll naturally get the hang of it.