Can You Make a U-Turn on a Straight Green Light?
3 Answers
At a crossroads, when the left-turn signal is red and the straight signal is green, you cannot make a U-turn. This is because when the straight signal is green, vehicles from the opposite direction are also moving straight, and making a U-turn would obstruct their normal traffic flow. It is definitely not allowed to make a U-turn in this situation, as it also violates the Road Traffic Safety Law. Here is some knowledge about U-turns: Traffic Regulations: There is a specific rule in traffic regulations that clearly states if there are no signs prohibiting U-turns on either side of the road, then vehicles are allowed to make a U-turn at that location. However, before making a U-turn, it is essential to observe the road conditions and ensure that the maneuver does not interfere with the normal flow of other vehicles on the road. Special Cases: When there are solid white lines or double solid yellow lines on the road, you cannot make a direct U-turn. There is a special case where the road centerline has one side as a solid line and the other as a dashed line. If you are driving on the side with the dashed line, you can make a U-turn without following the left-turn signal requirements. However, if you are driving on the side with the solid line, you cannot make a direct U-turn.
I've been driving for over 20 years and often encounter this situation. Generally, when there's a full green light for going straight, you can make a left turn, but only after ensuring it's safe—like checking that there are no oncoming vehicles from the opposite lane and watching for pedestrians crossing. Some intersections have dedicated left-turn arrow signals; in those cases, you can't turn left on a straight green light and must wait for the arrow to turn green. For U-turns, the rules are similar, but it depends on the intersection design. If there's a no U-turn sign, then it's absolutely not allowed. I recommend glancing at the traffic signals and road markings before making any left turns or U-turns to avoid getting a ticket. Especially at intersections, some places allow U-turns on a green light, but you must yield to all vehicles and pedestrians first—otherwise, it's easy to cause an accident. It's best to drive slowly in such situations.
As a driver who often navigates through the city, I think whether you can turn left on a straight green light really depends on the location. In the city center, most intersections have arrow controls, so you can't turn left when the straight light is green—you have to wait for the left-turn signal. But on suburban roads without dedicated signals, you can turn left on green, but you need to be extra careful because oncoming traffic might be speeding straight through. I once had a close call when turning left on green and nearly collided with a fast-moving straight car, which taught me to always yield the right of way. As for U-turns, if it's at an intersection with a median island, you can try it on green, but check the signs to avoid getting caught by traffic cameras. Safety comes first—avoid abrupt maneuvers and make sure there are no cars following too closely behind or ahead.
