Do You Need to Wait for a Traffic Light to Make a U-Turn?
2 Answers
If it is a traffic light intersection where U-turns are allowed, you can make a U-turn when the light is red, but for safety reasons, it is advisable to wait for the green light before making the U-turn, provided it does not interfere with normal traffic flow. Below are the rules for making U-turns at traffic lights: 1. Intersections with U-turn signs: U-turns are allowed. 2. Intersections without U-turn lights but with left-turn lights: U-turns are allowed. 3. Yellow grid areas: U-turns are allowed. 4. Crosswalk areas: U-turns are prohibited. Below are three common scenarios for making U-turns: 1. If the U-turn does not cross the stop line of the lane, generally, you do not need to consider the traffic light. 2. If the U-turn requires crossing the stop line of the left-turn or U-turn lane, you must observe the traffic light. 3. Traffic police instructions take precedence over traffic signals, and traffic signals take precedence over road markings.
I've been driving for over 20 years and often encounter situations requiring U-turns. The rules for U-turns depend on traffic lights - simply put, you absolutely cannot make a U-turn at a red light, as it's equivalent to running a red light and will result in a fine. In theory, U-turns are permitted at green lights, but you must ensure there's no 'No U-turn' sign and check for oncoming traffic from the opposite lane to avoid collisions. In urban intersections, there are often pedestrians or cyclists, and U-turns have large blind spots. I recommend waiting a few extra seconds to confirm safety. Remember, safety is more important than time - one reckless move could cause an accident. Develop good habits: always use your turn signal before making a U-turn to alert other drivers and avoid trouble.
