Which traffic light to observe when making a left turn at a T-junction?
3 Answers
Observe the traffic light on the opposite side of the road. You can only make a left turn when the green left-turn arrow light or the green circular light is on: According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law": For straight-going vehicles on the right side of a T-junction where there is no crossroad, they may proceed when encountering a red or yellow light, provided that they do not hinder the passage of released vehicles and pedestrians. When traffic lights are present: If there are traffic lights at the T-junction, you must follow the red light instructions. When the light is red, vehicles must wait behind the stop line. Pedestrian crossing lights: At a T-junction with pedestrian crossing lights, motor vehicles should follow the pedestrian crossing light instructions. When the light is red, passing through the T-junction is not allowed.
As an experienced driver, when making a left turn at a T-junction, I mainly watch the straight-through traffic light on the opposite main road. A green light means I can turn left, but I must yield to oncoming straight-through vehicles first, while keeping an eye on the crosswalk to avoid pedestrians and bicycles. Some intersections have dedicated left-turn arrow signals, in which case I follow that signal—wait at red and turn directly at green, which is both convenient and safe. Remember, in rainy weather when visibility is poor, it's even more important to carefully check the road conditions, as jaywalkers can be very dangerous. In short, with experience, you can make quick judgments, but I never get distracted—safety first. More experience teaches you: the more complex the intersection, the calmer you should be in your maneuvers, and don't rush the light.
I just got my driver's license, and I always feel nervous when making left turns at T-junctions, mainly relying on the traffic lights from the opposite lane. My instructor taught me that at a T-junction without a dedicated left-turn signal, you should wait for the green light and ensure no oncoming traffic before turning left; if there's a left-turn arrow signal, just follow it. After practicing a few times, I realized that during the morning rush hour with heavy traffic, you must wait for a gap in the oncoming flow to turn smoothly, and sometimes you need to glance at the rearview mirror to avoid rear-end collisions. Beginners tend to panic easily, so I recommend bringing a friend for guidance or checking tutorials on traffic rule apps—you'll get the hang of it gradually. But don't rush; safe driving is more important than anything else. Develop good driving habits: slow down first, then assess the signals, and confirm it's safe before making any moves.
