What are the traffic rules for left and right turns of vehicles?
4 Answers
Vehicle left and right turns can generally be divided into three situations. The following is a detailed introduction to the traffic rules for left and right turns of vehicles: 1. Steep slope turns When approaching a slope, in addition to reducing speed, you should also downshift and proceed slowly. Moreover, since steep slope turns are mostly on mountain roads where vehicle conditions cannot be accurately judged, you should honk the horn for a long time before turning to avoid collisions. 2. Blind spot turns in residential areas When driving in blind spots such as residential areas, the driver's field of vision is limited, so you should slow down. At the same time, you should honk the horn in advance when turning to alert residents. 3. Road intersection turns When making left or right turns at intersections, the driver must use the turn signal. When turning left, in addition to changing lanes and using the turn signal in advance, try to drive as close to the center of the road as possible while waiting to turn, to facilitate the passage of vehicles behind. When turning right, in addition to merging into the outer lane in advance, you should also use the right turn signal to alert pedestrians on the roadside.
With over a decade of driving experience, I can tell you that the rules for left and right turns are crucial. Let's start with left turns: at intersections, I need to stay on the inside lane and avoid crossing into oncoming traffic; if the light is green but there's no dedicated turn signal, I must wait for straight-moving vehicles to pass first to avoid collisions. Right turns are simpler—usually allowed even on red lights—but I must check for pedestrians and cyclists who may have the right of way. The key is to use turn signals in advance to communicate my intentions. Before turning, I always glance at the rearview mirror, slow down, and be extra cautious about skidding in wet conditions. New drivers often rush turns, leading to side-swipes, so patience is vital—safety matters more than getting home fast.
When I first started learning to drive, I was quite confused about turning rules, especially left turns. The instructor taught me to signal for at least three seconds before making a move, and even when right turns don't require a light, I should always yield to pedestrians. I remember once almost hitting a straight-going vehicle during a left turn because I didn't wait for the green light to finish flashing; during right turns, bicycles often dart out suddenly, making me slam on the brakes in panic. After practicing several times, I got the hang of it—the core rules are to slow down and carefully observe surrounding traffic and pedestrians. On rainy days or when driving at night with poor visibility, turns become more dangerous, so I turn on my hazard lights to alert others. This experience made me extra cautious when picking up elderly people in the neighborhood, saving me a lot of trouble.
As someone who frequently deals with intersection accidents, I emphasize that left turns must follow the inner path, and right turns require slowing down to yield to pedestrians. The core of the rules is safety: use turn signals for warning, check blind spots with rearview mirrors, and keep speed under 20 mph. Common mistakes include cutting in line during left turns or ignoring bicycles during right turns; intersections with high accident rates often lack warning signs. In bad weather, I recommend waiting a few extra seconds before turning to avoid skidding or losing control. Overall, obeying traffic signals and yielding principles is about protecting yourself and others.
