Many traffic participants believe that when encountering a red light, they can flexibly turn right to avoid congestion. However, according to current regulations, vehicle drivers are only allowed to turn right in certain cases.
If you arbitrarily turn right when the red light is not in accordance with regulations, the violator may be fined from 18,000,000 - 20,000,000 VND for cars, 4,000,000 to 6,000,000 VND for motorbikes.
In areas with no-turn right signs, in addition to being penalized for running red lights, traffic participants may also be penalized for turning right in areas with no-turn signs. The penalty level is as follows:
For cars: fine from 2,000,000 - 3,000,000 VND.
For Motorcycles: fine from 600,000 - 800,000 VND.
According to regulations, there are 5 cases where traffic participants are allowed to turn right even though the traffic light is red. The most common case is at intersections where there is a arrow-shaped traffic light allowing turning right and this light is showing blue. At that time, even if the main light is still red, vehicle drivers are still allowed to move in the direction of turning right.
In addition, people are also allowed to turn right when there is a traffic controller's signal. Clause 2, Article 11 of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety stipulates that the traffic controller's signal has a higher priority value than traffic lights. Therefore, in case the red light is on but the traffic police or traffic controller signals to continue, the vehicle operator is still allowed to turn right without being considered a violation.
Another case is at intersections with auxiliary signs allowing right-turning when the red light is on. This is a type of sign usually placed below traffic lights. When this sign appears, vehicle drivers are allowed to turn right but still have to reduce speed, observe and give way to pedestrians.
Many roads today are also designed with traffic diversion islands so that vehicles can turn right before reaching the location where the traffic lights are placed. In this case, vehicle drivers are also allowed to turn right at red lights but must turn on turn signals and ensure safety for other vehicles.
In addition, according to the National Technical Regulation QCVN 41:2024/BGTVT, on some roads, zigzag markings are arranged to limit traffic congestion. If the vehicle is moving on the road with a zigzag marking and the traffic light in front turns red, the driver must continue to move to avoid causing traffic obstruction, which can be continued in the direction of turning right.
In addition to the above cases, all acts of arbitrarily turning right at red lights are considered not complying with traffic light signals and will be severely punished.
According to Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, motorcyclists turning right in violation of regulations at red lights will be fined from 4 - 6 million VND. For cars, the fine amounts up to 18 - 20 million VND. Not only fined money, violators will also be deducted 4 points on their driver's license.
To ensure safety when turning right, vehicle drivers need to pay close attention to vehicles in the same direction, in the opposite direction as well as pedestrians before changing direction. Drivers must turn on the signal to ask for directions in accordance with regulations and reduce speed when turning.
The 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety also stipulates that in the process of changing direction, vehicle drivers must give up the right to go ahead to pedestrians and cyclists on their separate lanes and are only allowed to change direction when ensuring that they do not cause danger to other vehicles.
