Can Vehicles Make U-turns Over Crosswalks?
2 Answers
Making U-turns over crosswalks is not allowed and constitutes a traffic violation. According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," this offense is punishable by a 3-point deduction and a fine of 200 yuan. The basis for this is Article 49, which states that motor vehicles are prohibited from making U-turns at locations with no U-turn or no left-turn signs or markings, as well as at railway crossings, pedestrian crossings, bridges, sharp curves, steep slopes, tunnels, or other dangerous road sections. The definition of yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks: When pedestrians are walking on the right side of the crosswalk and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side of the road must slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while allowing pedestrians to cross. When pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while passing the crosswalk. If pedestrians have crossed the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, and vehicles do not stop to yield, it constitutes a violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians are walking along the crosswalk into the motorized lane, vehicles must slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while passing the crosswalk. If vehicles do not stop to yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the vehicle lane, and vehicles do not stop to yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the vehicle lane, and vehicles do not stop to yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. When the road is divided by a median strip, and pedestrians are waiting in the median area, vehicles must slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while passing the crosswalk. Permissible U-turn scenarios: If an intersection has a clear U-turn sign, U-turns are allowed. If there is a U-turn traffic signal, drivers must follow the signal's instructions. If there is no signal, U-turns can be made based on the specific situation, provided they do not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. If an intersection does not explicitly prohibit U-turns or left turns, U-turns are allowed. The absence of explicit prohibitions means there are no "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and the centerline is not solid. In such cases, U-turns are permitted. U-turns are also allowed over yellow grid lines: Yellow grid lines are no-stopping zones marked at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, important facility entrances, or other designated locations. Stopping on these lines (including waiting for traffic signals) is a violation. Although vehicles cannot stop in yellow grid zones, U-turns are permitted as long as there is no median barrier. Yellow grid lines without barriers are equivalent to "U-turn permitted." If an intersection has a U-turn traffic signal, drivers must follow the signal—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Permitted" signs appear together, 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 they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Drivers should continue forward to find a suitable location. If a "No Left Turn" sign is present, U-turns are also prohibited at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve left-turning movements. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If in the second left-turn lane, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. If a U-turn interferes with straight-moving vehicles, the U-turning driver assumes 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 has a straight arrow instead, U-turns are prohibited even if no explicit "No U-turn" signs are present.
Having driven for many years, I always remember the rule clearly: you must never drive over the zebra crossing when making a U-turn. The zebra crossing is a dedicated area for pedestrians to cross the road, and driving over it is a violation of traffic regulations, which can result in fines or even penalty points. According to China's traffic rules, U-turns are only allowed at designated safe points, such as intersections without zebra crossings or after the traffic light turns green. I once witnessed an accident where someone insisted on making a U-turn over the zebra crossing, nearly hitting a parent pushing a stroller, and the rear wheel was caught on camera crossing the line, resulting in a 200-yuan fine. Now, I’ve developed a habit of stopping in an open area to observe before making a U-turn, ensuring there are no pedestrians or vehicles before proceeding slowly to avoid any risks. Following this rule not only benefits drivers but also makes urban traffic more harmonious and reduces congestion and conflicts. If the intersection is too narrow or has blind spots, it’s better to find a wider road to detour—better safe than sorry.
