What to Do When Left Turn is Green but Straight is Red?
3 Answers
When the left turn signal is green but the straight signal is red, proceeding straight is considered running a red light. You should stop immediately and wait for the straight signal to turn green before proceeding. Below are the specific regulations: 1. Penalty: According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," violating traffic signal lights results in 6 demerit points and a fine. 2. Judgment Method: If the vehicle has just crossed the stop line when the light turns red but stops immediately, traffic authorities will not impose a penalty. However, if there is obvious movement after crossing the line, a penalty will be issued.
I've been driving for many years and have encountered many situations with a left-turn green light and a straight-through red light. The rule is simple: you can only turn left, absolutely no going straight. The green light gives you the right of way to turn left, while the red light warns that straight-through traffic is prohibited. Every time I approach such an intersection, I slow down, carefully observe for pedestrians, bicycles, or traffic, and only turn when it's safe. Don't panic when the car behind you honks; waiting patiently won't hurt, but rushing could lead to an accident. Setting up traffic signals this way at urban intersections prevents conflicts between left-turning and straight-through vehicles, reducing the risk of collisions. Extra caution is needed at night or in foggy conditions when visibility is poor and signals can be misjudged. My experience as a driver tells me that obeying traffic signals means protecting yourself and others. If you violate the rules and run a red light, a fine of a few hundred dollars is the least of your worries—causing an accident would be truly regrettable. Safety is the bottom line; waiting a few extra seconds to ensure safety is the wiser choice.
When I first started learning to drive, I was quite nervous when encountering a green left-turn light and a red straight-through light. My instructor taught me that in this situation, only left turns are allowed—a red straight-through light means you cannot proceed forward. Initially, I would slowly stop at the intersection to confirm the signals: the green light with a red left-turn arrow, then look left and right to ensure no cars or pedestrians were coming before making a cautious turn. My heart would race the entire time, fearing mistakes, but with practice, I became more proficient. The instructor warned that proceeding straight through a red light could result in fines, penalty points, or even cause an accident and harm innocent people. New drivers should review the traffic rulebook frequently and practice such common scenarios repeatedly to adapt. In daily driving, I’ve also realized that traffic signals control vehicle flow, and misinterpreting them can easily disrupt traffic. Staying calm and executing maneuvers accurately is crucial—correcting bad habits builds confidence on the road.
