Can I make a U-turn when the U-turn gap is present but the red light is on?
4 Answers
Yes, you can make a U-turn. Below are the relevant details: Different situations apply at different intersections: Situation 1: When you are in the left-turn waiting area at an intersection, if there is a U-turn gap, you can make a U-turn directly even if the light is red, as long as it does not affect the passage of other vehicles. If there is no U-turn gap at the intersection, the vehicle should enter the waiting area when the light is green and wait for the left-turn green light to turn on before making the left turn. Situation 2: When there is a dashed line before the stop line, even if the light is red, the vehicle can make a U-turn directly. However, you must ensure that it does not disrupt traffic and avoid crossing the stop line directly while driving.
Last time while waiting at a red light intersection, I witnessed an accident firsthand – a driver saw there were no cars at the U-turn gap and made the turn immediately when the light turned red, only to collide head-on with an oncoming vehicle that had a green light. Here's what I have to say about this: whether you can proceed through a U-turn gap when the light is red entirely depends on the opposing traffic signal. If the opposite direction has a green light, you absolutely must wait patiently! Don't take advantage of the gap's convenience to force your way through. With over a decade of driving experience, I know these gap designs are meant to be congestion-relief benefits, but some drivers treat them like get-out-of-jail-free cards. The safest approach is to follow bus drivers' example: confirm both directions have red lights, observe pedestrian crossings, then make your turn decisively. After all, can you really afford to risk those 12 points on your license, right?
When I was taking the driving test for Subject 3, the instructor yelled at me until my ears were calloused: 'Make a U-turn at a gap intersection, and obey the traffic lights when the red light is on!' The principle is actually simple—that gap is equivalent to a miniaturized crossroads. If the opposite lane has a green light and you make a U-turn on red, you're cutting off the traffic flow, guaranteeing a 100% at-fault accident. My advice for beginners is to develop muscle memory: first check for a red light in your direction—then turn your head to check the opposite signal—confirm the moment the yellow light turns red before turning the steering wheel. Don’t forget to lean out and check the blind spot, as delivery e-bikes love to dart out from the gap. It’s better to wait an extra 30 seconds than to gamble with safety.
Just two days ago, I helped my wife handle a traffic violation and finally understood the details of traffic rules: whether you can make a U-turn at a red light depends on the position of the stop line at the intersection. If the gap is behind the stop line (as designed in most cities), congratulations, you can make a U-turn directly at a red light without penalty. But if you poke your car past the stop line before turning around? That's a guaranteed 3 points and a 200 yuan fine! I once learned this the hard way while traveling in Qingdao—the stop line at that intersection was painted five meters before the gap, and the electronic eye caught it crystal clear. Here’s a tip: roll down your window and check the ground for dashed lines indicating a left-turn waiting area. If they’re there, you must obey the red light rules.
