Do You Need to Obey Traffic Lights When Making a U-Turn on a Dotted Line?
2 Answers
According to traffic regulations: When the traffic light is red, if the center line of the road is dotted near the intersection or there is a U-turn channel in the central isolation facility, you can make a U-turn at a red light. In other words, as long as you do not cross the stop line when making a U-turn, you do not need to obey the traffic light. Below are specific details about vehicle U-turns: Prohibited U-turn situations: Motor vehicles must not make arbitrary U-turns at locations with no U-turn signs or no left-turn signs and markings, as well as at railway crossings, crosswalks, bridges, sharp curves, steep slopes, tunnels, or other sections prone to danger. Permitted U-turn situations: Motor vehicles may make U-turns at locations without no U-turn signs or no left-turn signs and markings, provided they do not obstruct the normal passage of other vehicles and pedestrians.
When making a U-turn on a dashed line, never ignore the traffic light. Based on my experience, U-turns follow the same rules as turns—if there's a traffic light at the intersection, you must obey it. Only proceed when the light is green. Making a U-turn on red is not only illegal but also likely to be caught by cameras, resulting in fines and penalty points. From a safety perspective, ignoring the light risks collisions with oncoming traffic, especially during rush hour when roads are crowded—an accident would be even more frustrating. In fact, some dashed-line U-turn spots have dedicated signals, but these still follow the main traffic light. My advice for new drivers: develop good habits—always confirm the light is green before U-turning, and never cut corners recklessly. Also, in rain or fog when visibility is poor, slow down and wait for clearer conditions before turning—safety comes first.
