Do You Need to Wait for a Red Light to Make a U-Turn?

[LeReese]

If the gap is marked with a dashed line, making a 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 making a U-turn requires crossing 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 penalty and a fine according to Article 49 of 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: 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 must slow down and allow them to pass safely. When pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary line of the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the road, vehicles must slow down and allow them to pass safely. If pedestrians cross the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles that do not stop are committing a violation and will be penalized. When pedestrians enter Lane A of the motorized lane along the pedestrian crossing, vehicles in Lane B must slow down and allow them to pass safely. If vehicles in Lane A do not stop, it is a violation and will be penalized. If pedestrians waiting at the centerline of the road do not enter the motorized lane, vehicles that do not stop are committing a violation and will be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the lane, vehicles that do not stop are committing a violation and will be penalized. When pedestrians are waiting in the median area separated by greenery, vehicles must slow down and allow them to pass safely. Scenarios where 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 light, follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, make a U-turn without interfering 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. "No 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 on yellow grid lines. Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, entrances to important facilities, or other designated areas. Stopping on yellow grid lines (including waiting for traffic lights) is a violation. However, U-turns are allowed on yellow grid lines if there is no median barrier, effectively making it a "U-turn permitted" zone. If there is a U-turn signal light at the intersection, you must follow it—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-Turn Permitted" signs appear together, U-turns are allowed but left turns are prohibited. Note that "No U-Turn" is not the same as "No Left Turn." Precautions when making a U-turn at an intersection: Check the road markings. If they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. 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, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic before making a U-turn. Failure to do so will make you fully liable for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes usually have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane is not always a left-turn lane. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit "No U-Turn" signs.