What is a Left-Turn Waiting Zone?
2 Answers
The area designated for waiting to make a left turn is called the left-turn waiting zone. The range of the left-turn waiting zone extends from the original vehicle stop line to the center of the road, with a slight curve at the end. Roads that implement left-turn waiting zones are generally one-way roads with three or more lanes. Below are relevant details: 1. When both the straight and left-turn signals are red, left-turning vehicles are prohibited from entering the waiting zone and should queue behind the stop line until permitted to proceed. 2. When the straight signal in the same direction turns green (while the left-turn signal remains red), left-turning vehicles should enter the waiting zone in order and wait to turn left. When the left-turn signal subsequently turns green, vehicles waiting in the zone should proceed to turn left through the intersection in sequence. 3. When the left-turn signal is red (or yellow), left-turning vehicles that have not yet entered the waiting zone should stop behind the stop line and must not enter the waiting zone. Vehicles already in the waiting zone should continue to turn left through the intersection without stopping inside the intersection, ensuring smooth traffic flow. 4. The left-turn waiting zone is set up at intersections to improve traffic efficiency. If both the straight and left-turn signals are red, all vehicles must wait behind the stop line. Entering the zone prematurely is equivalent to running a red light and may result in fines and penalty points.
I drive in the city every day, and the left-turn waiting area is extremely common. It's basically a small marked zone at large intersections, specifically designed for left-turning vehicles to wait at traffic lights. When the straight-ahead signal turns green, I can drive my car into that white or yellow painted area and wait until the left-turn arrow turns green before making the turn. This design really works—during rush hour traffic, entering the waiting area a step earlier can save several minutes and prevent a pile-up of cars stuck in the middle of the main road. I remember one time at Dongfeng Intersection, before this system existed, left-turning cars would form long queues, causing frustration. Now, with it in place, traffic flows much smoother. It’s also safer—stopping in the designated area avoids blocking the way, reduces the risk of rear-end collisions, and doesn’t interfere with straight-moving traffic. Beginners should pay attention to the signals and avoid rushing in recklessly. If the signal seems unclear, waiting a few seconds usually resolves it. Overall, this small improvement makes a big difference in urban traffic flow, making commutes easier and more pleasant.
