Turning on Red in Beijing: A Crosswalk Culture Shock
After spending a week in Beijing for sport, and now back in New Zealand, I realized what a shock cars travelling through pedestrian crossings was - even when the pedestrian signal was green and the traffic light was red.
It felt counterintuitive, even dangerous. But over time, I began to understand the logic behind this and how it helped with traffic efficiency.
What Is “Turning on the Red”?
In Beijing, and much of China, right turns on red are permitted unless explicitly prohibited by signage. Drivers are expected to yield (or give way) to pedestrians, but in practice, this often doesn’t happen consistently. The result is a dynamic, sometimes chaotic, negotiation between vehicles and pedestrians, or scooters, at intersections.
Pros of Allowing Turns on Red
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Traffic Flow Efficiency: Keeps vehicles moving, especially in high-density urban environments.
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Fuel Savings: Originally introduced in the U.S. during the 1970s oil crisis for fuel efficiency- although with much of the fleet EV the benefits of this are questioned now
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Reduced Wait Times: Minimizes idle time at intersections, which can be beneficial in congested cities.
Cons and Safety Implications
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Pedestrian Risk: Studies show increased conflict between vehicles and pedestrians, especially when drivers fail to stop completely or yield properly.
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Inconsistent Enforcement: In cities like Beijing, yielding is often ignored, creating unpredictable and unsafe conditions for pedestrians.
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Higher Injury Rates: Right-turn-on-red collisions, particularly involving larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks, have a significantly higher fatality risk. [planetizen.com]
International Comparisons
Allowed:
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United States & Canada: Widely permitted, with exceptions (e.g., NYC, Montreal).
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Germany & Austria: Permitted with specific signage, often for cyclists only.
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Australia: Left turn on red allowed only where signposted.
Prohibited:
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UK, France, Netherlands, most of Europe: Turning on red is generally illegal unless a green arrow is shown.
What Makes Beijing Unique?
Beijing’s traffic culture is shaped by a hierarchy of road users — the larger and faster the vehicle, the more assertive its behavior. Pedestrians often yield or give way to cars, not the other way around. This unwritten rule creates a system that prioritizes flow over formality.
Considerations for Urban Planners and Road Safety Advocates
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Should cities ban turns on red at high pedestrian volume intersections?
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Can smart tech (e.g., Beijing’s facial recognition for jaywalking) help enforce better behavior?
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Is there a way to balance efficiency and safety, especially in rapidly urbanizing areas?
Till next time.
Andrew
P.S The trip was for the World Obstacle Championships - the first time UIPM - World Pentathlon has held the event. We had several roles, one as a Task Force Integration Member to bring the two International Federations together, and two to help support an Oceania team where we had four countries (Australia, Cook Islands, Guam and New Zealand) represented. The event went well, and it was great to connect with athletes, organizers and volunteers alike.
Equally amazing to have Zavier bring back a bronze and Laura three gold for New Zealand!
Some photos below!
Transit Trends · Andrew Collings, KA Advisory. Read and comment on the original on LinkedIn.
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