What should you do if you encounter a red light while turning left?

When you encounter a red light while turning left, yielding to oncoming traffic before proceeding is crucial for safety. This action allows you to ensure that the path is clear and that no vehicles are approaching from the opposite direction that could pose a risk of collision. Even if you might be turning onto a one-way street or believe it’s safe to proceed, oncoming vehicles typically have the right of way, particularly at a red light.

While it might seem reasonable to proceed if no cars are coming, it’s important to remember that you must adhere to traffic laws and signals first. Simply stopping and waiting for the light to change does not apply when making a left turn at a red light in many jurisdictions, as left turns on red are often permitted only from a one-way street to another one-way street, provided you yield. Lastly, turning shortly after the light turns red could lead to dangerous situations or traffic violations, as the light signals to all drivers that they must stop. Therefore, yielding to oncoming traffic ensures compliance with the law and promotes safe driving practices.