What should vehicles do when the traffic light turns green at a congested intersection?
4 Answers
When the traffic light turns green at a congested intersection, vehicles should wait in place and must not enter the intersection. Even if the light is green but the intersection ahead is congested, vehicles should not proceed into it, as entering would only worsen the congestion. They should wait until the congestion eases before moving forward. Intersections are complex traffic environments and frequent sites of accidents, often involving vehicles or pedestrians violating traffic rules. Therefore, it is crucial to drive cautiously when approaching and passing through intersections. When driving straight through a signal-controlled intersection, drivers should slow down in advance. Upon encountering a red or yellow light, they should stop behind the stop line and wait for the signal to proceed.
As a driver who frequently travels long distances, I always exercise extra caution in such situations. Even when the light is green, if the road ahead is completely jammed, I simply wait behind the stop line. Once, I witnessed a novice driver stubbornly pushing forward, only to end up blocking the entire intersection, forcing everyone to wait for the police to clear the congestion. Now, I've developed a habit of checking whether there's enough space to proceed before entering an intersection. If I notice the car ahead can only stop in the middle of the intersection, I'd rather wait for another signal cycle than risk going through. This isn't just about personal efficiency; it's about the safety of the entire intersection. After all, getting stuck in the middle not only obstructs cross traffic but also increases the risk of fender benders—it's a lose-lose situation for everyone.
Actually, the traffic regulations clearly state that when an intersection is congested, you should stop behind the stop line even if the light is green. My driving instructor repeatedly emphasized this point during my license test, calling it the 'Intersection Clearance Principle.' Many people are unaware that forcibly entering a blocked intersection can result in a maximum penalty of 3 demerit points and a 200-yuan fine. Experienced drivers know to leave half a car length as an observation distance, which allows them to clearly assess the congestion ahead while also providing turning space for other vehicles. This awareness is especially crucial during morning and evening rush hours; otherwise, congestion at one intersection can spread like dominoes to three or four surrounding blocks.
In such situations, the first thing to check is the remaining time on the traffic light. If there are only a few seconds left, it's wiser to decisively give up on crossing. When I drive, I always pay special attention to two things: first, maintaining a sufficient safe distance from the vehicle in front to avoid rear-end collisions if it suddenly stops; second, rolling down the window to listen for ambulance sirens. The worst scenario is when some electric vehicle riders assume the traffic will move and end up sandwiched between motor vehicles. It's advisable to frequently check the rearview mirror at congested intersections and leave some safe space for non-motorized vehicles.
