Do I Need to Wait for the Left Turn Red Light When Making a U-Turn?
4 Answers
When making a U-turn at an intersection with a U-turn sign, you need to wait for the left turn signal light. Here is some related information about traffic lights: 1. The world's first traffic light: The first traffic light in the world appeared in 1868, and the first true three-color light (red, yellow, and green) was born in 1918. It was a three-color circular four-sided projector installed on a tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City. 2. Meanings of traffic lights: (1) When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to pass, but turning vehicles must not hinder the passage of straight-going vehicles or pedestrians; (2) When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to pass; (3) When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I firmly believe you must wait for the left-turn signal to turn green before making a U-turn, otherwise it's extremely dangerous. I've witnessed many novice drivers attempting risky U-turns to save time, nearly colliding with oncoming traffic - especially at large intersections with heavy, fast-moving vehicles where sudden turns can cause rear-end collisions. My routine approach is to check traffic lights and signs well before reaching an intersection. If the arrow signal is red, I come to a complete stop and wait patiently; only proceeding with the turn when the light turns green. This practice not only avoids fines and penalty points, but more importantly protects everyone's safety. Remember: safe driving is the top priority - never gamble those few saved seconds against potential disaster. This habit has saved me from multiple accidents over the years.
In my driving experience, whether to make a U-turn at a red light depends on the specific intersection situation. On major urban roads, I usually wait for the green light, but on small roads without traffic signals, extra caution is required. Once at a busy intersection with heavy traffic, I hastily made a U-turn without waiting for the red light and almost collided with a bus, which gave me quite a scare. Since then, I always confirm that the left-turn green light is on or there's no no-U-turn sign before proceeding. Traffic lights are like commanders—red means stop, green means go. A U-turn is considered a turn and shouldn't violate the rules arbitrarily, otherwise, the police might catch you on the spot or the traffic cameras could fine you. Driving requires steady and solid habits to ensure long-term safety.
When I first started learning to drive, I was always confused about whether I needed to wait for a red light to make a U-turn. My instructor repeatedly explained it to me before I understood: in most cases, a U-turn is a variation of a left turn, so you must stop and wait for the light to turn green when the signal is red. When there is no dedicated U-turn signal, follow the left-turn rules and don't impulsively rush through. I also learned that some intersections have U-turn markings allowing early maneuvers, but you still must obey when the traffic light is red. Beginners are prone to mistakes, so paying extra attention to traffic and pedestrians will make driving safer.
