Do I Need to Wait for a Red Light When Making a U-Turn in the Waiting Area?
3 Answers
If there is no U-turn indicator light, and the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by the left-turn signal light and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. If the gap is marked with a solid line, then the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the left-turn signal light. Making a direct U-turn may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. If you need to cross the pedestrian crossing to make a U-turn, you must yield to pedestrians: Pedestrians walking on the right side of the crosswalk who have not reached the centerline of the road. Vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and proceed only when it is safe to do so, allowing pedestrians to pass through the crosswalk. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary line between the motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed only when it is safe to do so, allowing pedestrians to cross. If pedestrians cross the dividing line between the motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) along the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B should slow down and proceed only when it is safe to do so. If vehicles in Lane A do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane. If vehicles do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline of the road and entering the lane. If vehicles do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt, pedestrians waiting in the middle of the road must be yielded to. Vehicles should slow down and proceed only when it is safe to do so. Situations where U-turns are allowed: If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn can be made. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, make the U-turn based on the specific situation, ensuring it does not interfere with other vehicles or pedestrians. If the intersection does not explicitly prohibit U-turns or left turns, a U-turn can be made. "Not explicitly prohibited" 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 indicate no-stopping zones, typically at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops. While vehicles cannot stop in these zones, they are allowed to make U-turns unless there is a central barrier. If there is a U-turn signal light at the intersection, 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: Observe road markings. If the line is solid, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable location. 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, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with the normal flow of traffic; otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane does 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.
Making a U-turn in the waiting area depends on the specific situation. With over a decade of driving experience, my usual approach is: if the waiting area is connected to the left-turn lane, you can generally make a U-turn directly when the left-turn light turns green. However, if the intersection only has a circular red light, even if you're already in the waiting area, you must wait for the green light to proceed. Once, at a downtown intersection, I had just entered the waiting area when the light turned red, and the traffic officer said I had to stop if I hadn't crossed the stop line. Also, pay attention to road signs, such as no U-turn signs or double solid yellow lines—never violate them. My advice for beginners is to remember: safety first. If you're unsure, it's better to wait for another green light than to get a ticket.
According to traffic regulations, the waiting area primarily serves left-turning vehicles. If a vehicle needs to use this area for a U-turn, it must first check the traffic signal status: when the red circular light is on, vehicles that have not yet crossed the stop line must stop and wait; vehicles already in the waiting area may continue to complete the U-turn but must ensure they do not obstruct vehicles from other directions that have the green light. For example, at intersections with arrow signals, if the left-turn red light is on, U-turns are prohibited even if the vehicle is in the waiting area. Additionally, some cities allow U-turns on red at clearly marked sections, so drivers should prioritize observing road signs and markings.
