Am I allowed to turn right at a red traffic light?
March 19, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Ben Bergmann
Dear Legal Team,
I have a question regarding traffic law that has been bothering me for some time. My name is Jenny Büchner and I regularly drive a car. Recently, I was at a red traffic light and wanted to turn right. Since there was no pedestrian crossing or bike lane, I thought I was allowed to turn right despite the red light. However, another road user informed me that this was not allowed.
I am now unsure whether I am generally not allowed to turn right at a red light or if there are exceptions. What does traffic law say about this? I do not want to break any traffic rules and would like to comply with the regulations, but I would like to know for sure whether I am allowed to turn right at a red light or not.
Perhaps you could also explain to me the possible consequences if I have indeed violated the rules. Are there specific situations in which it is allowed to turn right at a red light? I would be very grateful if you could answer this question for me and possibly give me tips on how to act correctly in the future.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Jenny Büchner
Dear Mrs. Büchner,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding traffic law. It is important that you familiarize yourself with traffic rules and regulations in order to avoid any potential violations. I am happy to answer your question in detail and hope to provide you with clarity.
In general, it is not allowed to turn right at a red traffic light in Germany. A red light means that all road users at the intersection or junction must stop and not continue driving. This is for the safety of all road users and to prevent accidents.
There are exceptions, however, where right turns at a red light are allowed. For example, at some traffic lights there are special green arrows that permit right turns even when the light is red. If such a green arrow is present, you may turn right even if the light is red. Otherwise, right turns at a red light are generally prohibited.
If you violate the prohibition of right turns at a red light, it can have consequences. This usually includes a fine, points on your driving record, and possibly even a driving ban. It is therefore important to adhere to traffic rules in order to avoid such penalties.
To act correctly in the future, make sure to pay attention to traffic signs and lights and follow the applicable rules. If you are unsure whether you are allowed to turn right at a red light, it is advisable to wait until the light turns green.
I hope this information has been helpful to you and I am available to answer any further questions you may have. Thank you for your interest in traffic law.
Sincerely,
Ben Bergmann
Attorney-at-law
