What kind of red lights allow right turns?
4 Answers
There are three situations where vehicles can make a right turn on a red light, as detailed below: Circular traffic light: If the circular traffic light at an intersection turns red, vehicles in the right-turn lane can proceed to turn right directly. However, you must be careful not to interfere with other vehicles, as well as pedestrians and vehicles on the road behind and to your right. Arrow-shaped right-turn signal: If you encounter an arrow-shaped right-turn signal at a crossroad, you cannot turn right when the red arrow is lit. If you proceed to turn right, you will be considered as running a red light. Circular red light with an additional sign: At some intersections with complex road conditions, you may sometimes see a sign above the traffic light indicating whether right turns are allowed on red. If the sign says "Right Turn on Red," then you can turn right. If it says "No Right Turn on Red," you must wait for the green light; otherwise, turning right would be considered running a red 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 traffic signals and non-motor vehicle traffic signals indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of straight-moving vehicles or 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 crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle traffic signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed provided they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or 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, road markings, and the directions of traffic police. Article 26 states that traffic lights consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition, a green light indicates permission, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 38 states that vehicles and pedestrians must follow traffic signals. In the presence of a traffic police officer directing traffic, they must follow the officer's directions. On roads without traffic signals, they should proceed under the principles of safety and smooth traffic flow. Article 62 states that pedestrians crossing intersections or roads should use crosswalks or pedestrian facilities. At signalized crosswalks, they must follow the traffic signals. At intersections without traffic signals or crosswalks, or when crossing roads without pedestrian facilities, they should proceed only after confirming safety. Article 89 states that pedestrians, passengers, and non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic 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 accept the fine may have their vehicles impounded. Motor vehicle drivers who violate traffic signal regulations will be penalized with 6 demerit points. Precautions for right turns: Pay attention to oncoming straight-moving vehicles: When turning right, you need to watch for vehicles on both the right and left sides. Pay attention to oncoming left-turning vehicles: In addition to observing straight-moving vehicles, you should also check for any left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction. When turning right, always yield to vehicles on your left, whether they are turning left or going straight. Pay attention to pedestrians: When turning right, besides the crosswalk before the intersection, there may also be a crosswalk at the corner. Be sure to check for pedestrians on the crosswalk when turning right.
When driving, I've noticed that whether you can turn right on red depends on the specific intersection. Generally, if there isn't a 'No Right Turn' or 'No Turn on Red' sign, I can make a right turn at a red light, but I must come to a complete stop, ensure the intersection is safe, and yield to all pedestrians and through traffic. This rule is common in many U.S. states and Canada, helping to reduce congestion and fuel consumption, but safety always comes first. I remember once turning right at a crossroad without spotting a prohibition sign and getting a warning from a police officer; he emphasized that turns are prohibited in poor visibility or heavy pedestrian traffic. Now, before every right turn, I slow to a full stop, scan my surroundings, and make sure no one has pressed the pedestrian button or there are no special circumstances. The fines for violations are steep, and it's dangerous, so knowing the local manual is essential. Developing this habit in daily driving saves a lot of trouble.
From a safe driving perspective, I believe the key to right turns on red lies in observing signage. If there's no clear 'No Right Turn on Red' sign at the intersection, I come to a complete stop at the red light, yielding thoroughly to all vehicles and pedestrians, and only proceed with a slow turn when the path is completely clear. It's important to note that in some school zones or during peak hours, right turns may be temporarily prohibited even without signage. I've witnessed accidents where drivers failed to check blind spots at corners and hit pedestrians while making hasty turns, so stopping to observe is the absolute minimum. Following this rule can prevent most risks; never rush and risk tickets or worse – safety is far more important than saving a few minutes. Stay informed about local regulations too, as urban centers may have more restricted zones.
When I first learned to drive, the rule about turning right on red made me nervous. My instructor said that unless there's a no-turn-on-red sign, you can turn right after stopping completely and making sure no pedestrians or cars are coming. As a beginner, I tried it at empty intersections without issues, but crowded ones made me anxious about mistakes. At every red light, I'd silently recite: stop, look, go – come to a full stop, ensure it's safe, then turn. Now I understand the rules vary significantly by location; new drivers should check their local driving manuals instead of guessing. After a few practices, it becomes routine – the key is not to rush.
