Do You Need to Wait for a Red Light in a U-Turn Lane?
2 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. Note that U-turns are not allowed on pedestrian crossings. Violations will result in a 3-point deduction and a fine according to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China." 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 road's crosswalk without reaching the centerline. Vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and proceed safely after ensuring safety. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary of the motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed safely after ensuring safety. If pedestrians cross the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) via the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B should slow down and proceed safely after ensuring safety. If vehicles in Lane A fail to stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane. Vehicles failing to stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline into the motorized lane. Vehicles failing to stop and yield are committing 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 safely after ensuring safety. Cases where U-turns are allowed: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, you can make a U-turn. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, make a U-turn without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit prohibitions: If there are no signs prohibiting U-turns or left turns, you can make a U-turn. "No explicit prohibition" means no "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and no solid centerline. Yellow grid lines also allow U-turns: Yellow grid lines are no-parking zones at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops. Parking (including waiting for traffic lights) on these lines is a violation. However, U-turns are allowed in yellow grid zones unless there is a central barrier. Intersections with U-turn signal lights: If there is a U-turn signal light, follow it—only proceed on green. Signs prohibiting left turns but allowing U-turns: U-turns are allowed even if left turns are prohibited, but "No U-turn" is not the same as "No Left Turn." Things to note when making a U-turn at an intersection: Check road markings. If they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn location. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even without a "No U-turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection, as 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 allowed at that intersection. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn. Failing to do so will make you fully liable for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane is not always a left-turn lane. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit signs.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I fully understand that you must stop and wait for the green light when encountering a red light in a U-turn lane. This is because a red light is a universal stop signal at all intersections, and a U-turn is essentially a type of turn. Ignoring the red light not only violates traffic rules but also easily leads to accidents. I once witnessed someone running a red light to make a U-turn, resulting in a collision with a straight-moving vehicle, causing severe damage to the car—fortunately, no one was injured. Traffic regulations clearly state that vehicles must not move when the red light is on unless there is a dedicated U-turn green light or a sign permitting it. Always pay attention to traffic signs while driving; for example, some intersections have dashed lines marking U-turn zones, but you must still obey the signal during a red light. Safety comes first—never take risks for momentary convenience. Regularly reviewing the rulebook can help avoid unnecessary troubles.
