What are the driving rules for straight and left-turn mixed lanes?
4 Answers
The rules for straight and left-turn combined lanes depend on your intended direction of travel. If you need to turn left, you must check if the left-turn signal is green. If you intend to go straight, you must check if the straight signal is green. Below is an introduction from the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": 1. According to Article 40, lane signal lights indicate: (1) When the green arrow light is on, vehicles in this lane are permitted to proceed in the indicated direction. (2) When the red cross-shaped light or arrow light is on, vehicles in this lane are prohibited from proceeding. 2. According to Article 41, the direction indicator signal lights: arrows pointing left, up, and right indicate left turn, straight, and right turn, respectively.
Driving in a mixed lane is actually quite a common rule. When you stop in that lane preparing to turn left, you need to check the traffic light first. If the green light allows both straight and left turns, but you're turning left, you must yield to vehicles going straight because they have the right of way. I've been driving heavy trucks for over ten years, and what annoys me the most are those who block the way: some drivers hesitate too long when trying to turn left, blocking the entire lane and causing the cars behind to honk incessantly. Traffic regulations require that you must not obstruct straight-moving vehicles when turning, otherwise, it's considered a violation and points will be deducted. Don't go beyond the stop line, make turns steadily, and watch out for pedestrians and bicycles on the side, especially at night when blind spots are more common. If you encounter a red light, you should also stop in that lane and wait for the left-turn signal—don't rush out and cause trouble. In short, driving is all about being observant, putting safety first, and ensuring smooth traffic for everyone—that's what makes a skilled driver.
When I first started learning to drive, I always got nervous when encountering mixed lanes. My instructor told me the rule for straight and left-turn lanes is: follow the arrows painted on the lane and act according to the traffic lights. When the light turns green, go straight ahead if that's your intention; if you want to turn left, yield to oncoming straight traffic—don't force your way through. When the light turns red, just wait patiently. Beginners often make the mistake of forgetting to check the rearview mirror when turning, fearing being hit from behind; actually, stay calm, wait for a safe gap, and make the turn smoothly. Practice this scenario often during training, like finding similar intersections in your neighborhood to get the hang of it. Remember to yield to pedestrians—you must stop if they're on the crosswalk. These rules helped me avoid fines, and now driving feels much more comfortable.
I'm particularly interested in urban traffic design. The straight-through and left-turn mixed lane is designed to save space and improve efficiency, but the rules are simple: when you're in that position, the traffic signals control everything. During the green light phase, straight-through traffic has priority, while left-turning vehicles need to wait for a safe opportunity, usually when there's a larger gap. Different cities have different designs—some have dedicated left-turn signals, while others rely on driver awareness during shared phases. From a traffic planning perspective, this reduces road width waste and avoids excessive lanes clogging traffic. When driving, pay attention to signal changes, use your turn signals before turning to alert others, and avoid sudden acceleration that creates risks. Always obey traffic signs and avoid cutting in line illegally to prevent disputes.
