Can you make a U-turn at a dotted left-turn red light?
2 Answers
You can make a U-turn at a dotted left-turn red light, but you must ensure that you do not obstruct the passage of other normally moving vehicles and pedestrians. According to Article 49 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": Motor vehicles may make a U-turn at locations where there are no signs or markings prohibiting U-turns or left turns, but they must not obstruct the passage of other normally moving vehicles and pedestrians. Below are some precautions for making a U-turn: 1. Make a U-turn without affecting normally moving vehicles: Generally, when there is no sign prohibiting a U-turn, you can make a U-turn without affecting normally moving vehicles and ensuring safety. Typically, the central road divider will change from a solid line to a dotted line as it approaches an intersection. 2. U-turns are allowed on yellow grid lines: You can make a U-turn on yellow grid lines where there is no central barrier. Yellow grid line areas indicate no parking and are usually set up at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary parking or at the entrances of important institutions.
I've been driving for nearly thirty years and have encountered all kinds of road conditions, including this question about whether you can make a U-turn at a dotted left-turn line during a red light. The basic principle is that a red light prohibits all passage unless there's a specific sign stating 'U-turn permitted on red.' The dotted line indicates that the lane can be used for left turns or U-turns, but when the red light is on, the traffic signal controls everything—a U-turn is equivalent to a left turn and is a violation. I remember a few years ago in Guangzhou, I was stopped at an intersection waiting for the red light when I saw a young guy trying to make a U-turn. He almost hit a pedestrian crossing the street, and the police came over and issued him a ticket. The rules are designed for safety, to prevent intersection accidents. My advice in such situations is not to try any tricks—just wait patiently for the green light. If you really need to confirm, check the local traffic regulations manual or a mobile app. My driving experience tells me that breaking the rules once might get you by, but if something goes wrong, you’ll regret it deeply.
