Can You Make a U-Turn When the Straight Light is Green and the Left-Turn Light is Red?
2 Answers
You cannot make a U-turn when the straight light is green and the left-turn light is red. At an intersection with a red left-turn light and a green straight light, making a U-turn is not allowed because the oncoming traffic also has a green straight light, and attempting a U-turn would obstruct the normal flow of oncoming vehicles, violating the Road Traffic Safety Law. When the left-turn light turns green, the oncoming straight light usually turns red, making it safer to perform a U-turn. Legal Basis: Article 49 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" states: Motor vehicles shall not make a U-turn at locations with no U-turn or no left-turn signs or markings, as well as at railway crossings, crosswalks, bridges, sharp curves, steep slopes, tunnels, or sections prone to danger. Motor vehicles may make a U-turn at locations without no U-turn or no left-turn signs or markings, provided they do not obstruct the normal passage of other vehicles and pedestrians.
This situation depends on specific road conditions! If there are dashed line gaps or yellow grid areas at the intersection center, U-turns are indeed permitted when the straight-going signal is green, but you must not cross the stop line when the left-turn signal is red. However, if there are double solid yellow lines at the center, U-turns by crossing the lines are strictly prohibited even with a green straight-going signal, and you must proceed to an intersection where U-turns are allowed. Personally, I pay special attention to three things at such intersections: first, check if there are U-turn arrow markings on the road; second, see if the median has gaps; and third, look for any dedicated U-turn traffic lights overhead. The safest approach is to wait for the left-turn signal to turn green before making a U-turn—though it means waiting a few extra seconds, it completely avoids violations. What beginners often overlook is that when making a U-turn during a green straight-going signal, oncoming straight-going vehicles have the right of way, and you must yield completely; otherwise, any collision will be your full responsibility.
