Do You Need to Wait for the Left Turn Red Light to Make a U-Turn?
4 Answers
If there are no signs or markings prohibiting U-turns or left turns in the area, vehicles are allowed to make a U-turn. Here are the situations where you can directly make a U-turn at a red light: 1. The first situation is a U-turn lane. In some road sections without signs prohibiting left turns, there is a U-turn lane before the stop line on the left-turn lane. In this case, you can directly make a U-turn, provided that the vehicle has not yet reached the stop line. It's important to note that you must not obstruct the normal flow of other vehicles in this situation, otherwise accidents may easily occur. 2. The second situation is where there is a sign allowing left turns on red. If the left-turn intersection has such a sign, you can proceed according to the time indicated on the sign. This helps prevent violations that could result in fines or penalty points.
I just read the traffic rules book and found out whether you need to wait for the left-turn red light to make a U-turn depends on the specific situation. The most crucial thing is to check for any no U-turn signs or road markings. For example, if there are dashed lines or gaps at the intersection, you can make a U-turn freely, but double solid yellow lines are absolutely prohibited. At intersections with dedicated U-turn signals, you must wait for the green light. If there's no U-turn signal, you can use the left-turn lane—then you must wait for the left-turn green light. However, always remember to yield to through traffic and pedestrians before making a U-turn. It's best to avoid risky U-turns at intersections during nighttime when visibility is poor. By the way, rules may vary slightly in each city. Last time in Hangzhou, I saw a special intersection that allowed U-turns on red lights.
My friend's recent experience of getting points deducted for an illegal U-turn served as a wake-up call for me. U-turn rules are actually quite flexible: if you see a dedicated U-turn lane at an intersection, you can make the turn directly regardless of the left-turn red light, provided there are no vehicles blocking the way. If you're mixed in with left-turning traffic, then you must patiently wait for the left-turn green light. Pay special attention - while U-turns are permitted in yellow grid zones, you absolutely cannot stop and wait there. The rule about never crossing double yellow lines for U-turns should be etched in your mind - I've seen someone scrape a guardrail attempting this. During rainy weather or at intersections with poor visibility, it's better to drive an extra kilometer to find a safe spot than risk those few seconds.
Whether to make a U-turn during a red light depends on three key points. First, check the road markings: dashed lines allow U-turns, while solid lines require finding a gap. Second, observe the traffic signals: follow dedicated U-turn lights if available, but wait for a green light if sharing a left-turn lane. Finally, look for signs: proceed boldly if 'U-turn allowed on red' is posted, but detour if prohibited signs are present. Always slow down before making a U-turn, use your turn signal sufficiently, and glance at the rearview mirror to watch for electric bikes behind you. When making a U-turn at an intersection without a crosswalk, remember to yield to pedestrians first.
