Can You Make a U-Turn When the Left Turn Signal is Red?
3 Answers
Whether you can make a U-turn when the left turn signal is red depends on the road conditions: 1. If there is a no U-turn or no left turn sign at the intersection, you cannot make a U-turn when the left turn signal is red; 2. If there is no no U-turn sign at the intersection, you can make a U-turn when the left turn signal is red; 3. If there is a dashed line gap in the middle of the road before reaching the stop line, and there is no no U-turn sign at the gap, you can make a U-turn; 4. If there is a no U-turn sign at the gap or the line is solid all the way, you cannot make a U-turn at the gap and must proceed to the stop line to make a U-turn. Traffic lights, also known as traffic signals, are signs that indicate whether vehicles and pedestrians can proceed.
After driving for so many years, I've learned that making a U-turn at a left-turn red light is a strict no-no—you must wait for a green light or a dedicated U-turn arrow. Many beginners might think it's okay to try if there are no cars around, but in reality, making a U-turn on red is equivalent to running a red light. Not only is it illegal, resulting in fines and points deducted, but it also significantly increases the risk of colliding with oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. Once, a friend of mine impulsively tried it, got caught by a traffic camera, and nearly sideswiped another car. Traffic regulations may vary slightly by location—for instance, a few intersections have signs indicating 'U-turn permitted on red'—but in 99% of cases, we must wait for the signal to change. Safety comes first, so I always make it a habit to check for signs well before reaching an intersection. This habit has saved me a lot of trouble.
When I first learned to drive, I often asked this question too. The driving instructor repeatedly emphasized: when making a left turn and encountering a red light, don't even think about making a U-turn—you must obediently stop. It's not a multiple-choice question; it's a rule designed for everyone's safety. If you force a U-turn, not only will the cameras capture it, but you might also cause an accident, especially at busy intersections in big cities. I've also looked it up, and most cities explicitly prohibit it, except in rare cases like when a green left-turn arrow is lit. In short, once I started driving, I learned to patiently wait for the green light—it saves trouble and avoids risks, which is much better than trying to cut corners.
