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

[Brooklyn]

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. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," this violation incurs 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 signal and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. 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 U-turn directly without adhering to 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 of the road must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians cross the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles must stop; failing to do so is a violation and will be penalized. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) via the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Vehicles in Lane A must stop; failing to do so is a violation and will be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles must stop; failing to do so is a violation and will be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the motorized lane, vehicles must stop; failing to do so is a violation and will be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt and pedestrians are waiting in the central stopping 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, a U-turn is permitted. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, make the U-turn based on the specific situation, ensuring it does not interfere with other vehicles or pedestrians. If there are no explicit signs prohibiting U-turns or left turns at the intersection, a U-turn is allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means the intersection lacks signs like "No U-turn" or "No left turn," and the centerline is not solid. U-turns are also allowed on yellow grid lines. Yellow grid lines are no-stopping zones marked at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary parking, important entrances, or other designated areas. Stopping on these lines (including waiting for traffic lights) is prohibited. However, U-turns are permitted on yellow grid lines unless there is a central barrier. If there is a U-turn signal light at the intersection, follow its instructions—only proceed on green. If signs for "No left turn" and "Allowed U-turn" appear together, U-turns are permitted, but left turns are not. Note that "No U-turn" does not equate to "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 location. If there is a "No left turn" sign ahead, even if there is no explicit "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 permitted at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with the normal flow of traffic; otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes often have guiding arrows. Not all leftmost lanes have left-turn arrows. If the arrow indicates straight movement, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit "No U-turn" signs.

[DiAnastasia]

Regarding the question of whether to wait for a traffic light when making a U-turn, I think it mainly depends on the specific situation. The general rule is that at intersections or places with traffic lights, a U-turn is treated as a left turn operation, so you must wait for the green light to come on unless there is a clear sign allowing a U-turn during a red light. In common situations, if the left-turn arrow light is on, you can safely make a U-turn, but when the circular red light is on, you have to stop and wait. From observing some cases, I found that ignoring traffic lights can easily lead to accidents, especially during peak hours when vehicles going straight are moving at high speeds, and making a direct U-turn may result in a collision. It is recommended that novice drivers always confirm the intersection signals and signs first to avoid fines or risks. Additionally, extra caution is needed when waiting for lights at night or in bad weather, and maintaining patience is always the right approach.

[LeSerenity]

My driving experience has taught me that waiting for the traffic light is the safety baseline when making a U-turn. As someone accustomed to long-distance driving, I never take such risks. Traffic lights are designed to regulate the flow of vehicles. If you force a U-turn during a red light, you'll disrupt the straight-moving lanes, potentially causing rear-end collisions or side impacts, especially in busy urban areas. Even if there are few cars at the intersection, I don't make a direct U-turn—I wait for the green signal. This allows other drivers to anticipate your actions, reducing misunderstandings. From a preventive perspective, developing the habit of waiting for the light can also reduce accident rates by over 50%. Remember, it's better to wait a few extra minutes than to risk saving time—life and fines are far more important than that.

[McChristian]

I'm a regular commuter who drives to work every day. Making a U-turn at a red light? Most of the time I wait, because traffic lights are signal rules. At intersections without signs, don't move when the light is red; proceed only when it's green. On rural roads with fewer signals, I might make a U-turn depending on the situation, but always ensuring no cars are approaching. Don't rush to save time—safety comes first. If you encounter police, be sure to comply to avoid tickets.