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

[McTessa]

If there is a U-turn signal light and it is red, you must wait to make a U-turn. Otherwise, it will be considered running a red light, which, according to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," results in a penalty of 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn signal light, and the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by the traffic light and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. However, if the gap is marked with a solid line, the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the left-turn signal light. Making a direct U-turn without following these rules may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing a pedestrian crossing, you must yield to pedestrians: If pedestrians are walking on the right side of the crosswalk and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side must slow down and ensure safety before proceeding. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary of the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians have crossed the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles must stop; otherwise, it is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians have entered the motorized lane (Lane A) via the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If vehicles in Lane A do not stop, it is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles must stop; otherwise, it is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians cross the centerline and enter the motorized lane, vehicles must stop; otherwise, it is a violation and subject to penalties. If the road is divided by a green belt and pedestrians are waiting in the middle area, vehicles must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. 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 the U-turn without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. If there is no explicit "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" sign at the intersection, a U-turn is allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means the absence of "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs and no solid centerline. U-turns are also allowed in yellow grid zones. Yellow grids indicate no-parking areas at intersections or key locations. While stopping in these zones is prohibited, making a U-turn is allowed unless there is a central barrier. If there is a U-turn signal light, 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" does not necessarily mean "No Left Turn." Things to note 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 location. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even without a "No U-turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed 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 straight-moving vehicles. Only make a U-turn if it does not interfere with their normal flow. Otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the stop line at intersections, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane is not always for left turns only. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit "No U-turn" signs.