Can You Make a U-Turn When Encountering a Red Light While Driving?
1 Answers
If the U-turn signal is red, you must wait; otherwise, it will be considered running a red light. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," this violation carries a penalty of 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn signal, and 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. However, if the gap is marked with a solid line, the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the left-turn signal. Making a U-turn directly may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing the pedestrian crossing, you must yield to pedestrians: If pedestrians are walking on the right side of the crosswalk and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side should slow down and allow them to pass safely. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary of the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and allow them to pass safely. If pedestrians cross the boundary between the motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles must stop; otherwise, it is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane from the crosswalk, vehicles must slow down and allow them to pass safely. Failing to stop is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles must stop; otherwise, it is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the motorized lane, vehicles must stop; otherwise, it is a violation and subject to penalties. If the road is divided by a green belt and pedestrians are waiting in the middle, vehicles must slow down and allow them to pass safely. Scenarios where U-turns are allowed: If there is a 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, make the U-turn without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. If there is no explicit prohibition of U-turns or left turns at the intersection, you can make a U-turn. "No explicit prohibition" means there are no "No U-Turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and the centerline is not solid. U-turns are also allowed on yellow grid lines. Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones at intersections or important entrances. While stopping on these lines is prohibited, U-turns are permitted unless there is a central barrier. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-Turn Allowed" signs appear together, U-turns are permitted, but left turns are not. Note that "No U-Turn" is not the same as "No Left Turn." Precautions when making a U-turn at an intersection: Check the road markings. If they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn location. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even if there is no explicit "No U-Turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed because U-turns inherently involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. U-turns are not allowed from the second left-turn lane. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. If you interfere with their right of way, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit "No U-Turn" signs.
