Do I need to observe traffic lights when making a U-turn without a dedicated U-turn signal?
1 Answers
If the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by traffic signals and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. You can make a U-turn directly as long as it does not interfere with other normally moving vehicles and ensures your own safety. If the gap is marked with a solid line, then the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to traffic signals. If you need to cross the pedestrian crossing to make a U-turn, you must yield to pedestrians: When pedestrians are walking on the right side of the pedestrian crossing and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and allow them to pass safely. When pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary line between the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and allow them to pass safely. When pedestrians cross the dividing line between the motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles that do not stop to let them pass are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians enter the motorized lane from the pedestrian crossing, vehicles should slow down and allow them to pass safely. Vehicles that do not stop to let them pass are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles that do not stop to let them pass are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the motorized lane, vehicles that do not stop to let them pass are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians are waiting in the median area separated by greenery, vehicles should slow down and allow them to pass safely. Conditions under which 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, you must follow the signal. If there is no signal, you can make a U-turn as long as it does not interfere with 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. The absence of 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 in yellow grid zones. Yellow grid lines are no-parking zones at intersections prone to congestion, important entrances, and other designated areas. While parking in these zones is prohibited, U-turns are allowed unless there is a central barrier. If there is a U-turn signal at the intersection, you must follow the signal and only make a U-turn when the light is green. If there are both 'No Left Turn' and 'U-turn Allowed' signs, U-turns are permitted but left turns are not. Note that 'No U-turn' is not the same as 'No Left Turn'. Things to note when making a U-turn at an intersection: Observe the road markings. If they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances, and you should continue driving to find a suitable spot. If there is a 'No Left Turn' sign, even if there is no explicit 'No U-turn' sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection because U-turns inherently involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, you cannot make a U-turn at that intersection. Always yield to vehicles going straight. Make a U-turn only if it does not interfere with straight-moving vehicles; otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes usually have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane does not always have a left-turn arrow. If there is a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit 'No U-turn' signs.
