Will you be photographed for going straight in a left-turn lane?
2 Answers
Going straight from a left-turn lane will be photographed, and the chance of being caught is very high. Penalties for going straight in a left-turn lane: If you go straight when both the left-turn and straight signals are green, the chance of being photographed is low. However, if caught, you will be penalized for not driving in the designated direction, with a fine and 2 demerit points. If you go straight when the straight signal is green but the left-turn signal is red, the chance of being photographed is very high, and it is usually treated as running a red light, resulting in a fine and 6 demerit points. Driving precautions: When encountering poor visibility and unable to see the road ahead clearly, you should slow down, honk the horn, and drive on the right side. When approaching a curve, reduce speed appropriately, honk the horn, and drive on the right side of the road. For left turns, take a wide turn to leave space for oncoming traffic; for right turns, take a tight turn to leave space for non-motorized vehicles. Determine the timing and speed of the turn based on the curve and be prepared to slow down or stop at any time.
It's a common misconception to drive straight when the left-turn signal is on, but I must point out that this usually gets caught as a traffic violation. Traffic rules are clear: the left-turn signal is specifically designed for vehicles turning left. If you proceed straight, you're highly likely to trigger the intersection's surveillance cameras. I know that at some major intersections, the electronic police systems are highly sensitive and can automatically detect directional signals. Don't assume you can get away with it just because there's no officer on duty—urban areas are densely covered with cameras. Once caught, you'll face at least a 200-yuan fine, penalty points, and a hassle of dealing with the consequences. To avoid this, it's best to check the intersection signal type in advance, use navigation apps to remind yourself, and develop the habit of stopping at red lights and going at green lights—safety first also saves you trouble.
