Are U-turn Markings at Traffic Lights Controlled by the Signals?
3 Answers
If the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by the traffic signal and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. You can make a U-turn directly, provided it does not interfere with other normally moving vehicles and ensures your own safety. If the gap is marked with a solid line, then the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the traffic signal. When making a U-turn that requires crossing the pedestrian crossing, you must yield to pedestrians: Pedestrians walking on the right side of the road's crosswalk, not reaching the centerline of the road. Vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while allowing pedestrians to cross. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary line of the motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while allowing them to cross. If pedestrians cross the dividing line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) via the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B should slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while allowing them to cross. If vehicles in Lane A do not stop and yield, it constitutes a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane. Vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline into the motorized lane. Vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a median with greenery, pedestrians waiting in the median area require vehicles to slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while allowing them to cross. Permissible U-turn scenarios: Intersections with U-turn signs allow U-turns: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, you can make a U-turn. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, proceed based on the situation, ensuring no interference with other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit 'No U-turn' or 'No Left Turn' signs allow U-turns: If there are no explicit prohibitions, U-turns are permitted. 'No explicit prohibition' means the absence of 'No U-turn' or 'No Left Turn' signs and no solid centerline, allowing confident U-turns. Yellow grid lines also permit U-turns: Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones at intersections prone to congestion, important entrances, or other designated areas. Stopping on these lines (including waiting for traffic signals) is a violation. While stopping is prohibited, U-turns are allowed in these zones unless there is a central barrier. Yellow grid lines without central barriers equate to 'U-turn permitted.' Intersections with U-turn signal lights: If a U-turn signal light is present, follow it—U-turns are allowed only on green. Simultaneous 'No Left Turn' and 'U-turn Permitted' signs: U-turns are allowed, but left turns are prohibited. Note that 'No U-turn' is not the same as 'No Left Turn.' Precautions when making U-turns at intersections: Check road markings: If solid lines are present, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn location. If a 'No Left Turn' sign is present, even without a 'No U-turn' sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve left turns. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with their movement; otherwise, you bear full liability for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow. If it shows a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit 'No U-turn' signs.
I've been driving at traffic light intersections for many years and have always habitually watched the signal changes when encountering U-turn markings. Generally speaking, these markings are controlled by traffic lights unless there's a dedicated U-turn arrow signal. For example, I can only start the U-turn operation when the green light is on; performing a U-turn during a red light may risk collision with oncoming vehicles and could result in being photographed and fined. Traffic rules coordinate overall traffic flow through traffic lights to ensure safety. Sometimes the markings allow U-turns during red lights, but you need to check if local signs clearly indicate this. As an experienced driver, I remind everyone to familiarize themselves with specific city regulations before heading out, as different intersections may vary significantly. When making a U-turn, slow down and observe your surroundings—it's key to avoiding accidents. Don't take risks just to save time; life is more important than time. I remember one intersection where the markings were clear but lacked a dedicated signal—I waited for the green light before moving, and everything went smoothly.
When I first got my driver's license, I was also confused about the U-turn markings at traffic lights. Now I understand that in most cases, it's controlled by the traffic light because the main signal manages all vehicle flows at the intersection. If there's no dedicated U-turn signal, I must wait for the green light to proceed. Otherwise, making a U-turn during a red light is a violation and may be captured by cameras resulting in penalty points. Beginners often overlook this, thinking they can turn whenever the marking is present. For safety, it's advisable to take it slow, keep an eye on the light changes, and avoid sudden turns that could cause scratches. My personal experience is that commuting daily through similar intersections a few times makes it clear. If still unsure, checking a traffic app helps. This is especially important in congested cities where rules are designed to prevent chaos.
