What are the rules for making a right turn in a car?
2 Answers
When making a right turn in a car, you need to observe the traffic lights at the intersection. If there is a traffic officer directing traffic, follow their instructions. If the intersection only has circular red, yellow, and green traffic lights, you can proceed directly with the right turn. If the intersection has arrow signal lights, you must follow the arrow light’s indication to make the right turn. If the right-turn arrow light is red, you cannot turn right; when the right-turn arrow light turns off or changes to green, you can proceed with the turn. Below are some precautions for making a right turn in a car: 1. Check for oncoming straight vehicles from the left in advance: Many traffic accidents at intersections involve vehicles in the process of turning. Many new drivers fail to look for oncoming straight vehicles from the left when turning right and take a wide turning arc, which can lead to collisions where they are fully at fault. 2. Also, check the crosswalk for any pedestrians about to cross: This is something many new drivers overlook. Right-turning vehicles are usually in the far-right lane. If the light ahead is red, although you can still turn right, pedestrians on the crosswalk may have a green light to cross. Vehicles waiting at the light may block your view of pedestrians coming from the opposite side, so always take a glance before turning to avoid sudden appearances in front of your car. 3. When turning right, don’t ignore left-turning vehicles from the opposite lane: This is a traffic rule—left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction have the right of way. Therefore, always check for oncoming left-turning vehicles in advance to avoid taking a wide turn and colliding with them.
As a long-time commuting driver, I believe the basic rule for making a right turn is that you can turn right at a red light, but you must ensure safety. You should activate the right turn signal in advance, at least three seconds before turning, to let the following vehicles know your intention. When turning, you must stay in the right lane, gradually reduce your speed, and carefully observe pedestrians, non-motorized vehicles, and oncoming traffic. If there are pedestrians on the crosswalk, you must stop and let them go first—this is required by law. On city roads during rush hour, with heavy traffic, making a right turn really tests your patience. Once, I almost hit a shared bike that suddenly rushed out—fortunately, I had slowed down. Traffic signals are also crucial. Some intersections have dedicated right-turn signals, and you can only proceed when they turn green. If there isn’t one, you must check for any 'No Right Turn on Red' signs when the light is red. Safety comes first—don’t rush, take a few extra seconds to check blind spots. Regular maintenance of your turn signal system is also important—don’t let a burnt-out bulb go unnoticed. In short, the rules are there for everyone’s safety. Remember, take it slow, and you won’t go wrong.
