Do You Need to Wait for the Red Light to Make a U-Turn?
2 Answers
Whether you need to wait for the red light to make a U-turn depends on the situation: 1. If there is a broken line (double yellow line with one solid and one broken) in the center of the road, vehicles can make a U-turn directly from the broken line section, while vehicles on the solid line side cannot make a U-turn; 2. If there is no 'No U-Turn' sign (and no U-turn signal) in the middle of the road, you can make a U-turn after confirming safety; 3. If there is a central median with greenery and a dedicated U-turn area (without a U-turn signal), you need to pass the crosswalk before performing the U-turn. Note that all the above U-turn situations must be done without affecting straight-going vehicles and pedestrians. Also, it is important to remember that U-turns cannot be made on crosswalks, you cannot make a U-turn if there is no left-turn lane, U-turns are prohibited at any time if there is a 'No U-Turn' sign, U-turns are not allowed when the center line of the road is a solid yellow line, and U-turns are allowed on yellow grid lines, but stopping on the yellow grid line due to an incomplete U-turn when the light turns red is not permitted.
When I first started driving, I often wondered whether to wait for the red light when making a U-turn. I remember the first time I made a U-turn at a red light at an intersection, the traffic police immediately issued a ticket saying it was running a red light, and I even got points deducted. Later, I learned my lesson—in most places in China, U-turns at red lights are strictly prohibited unless there's a specific sign at the intersection indicating it's allowed. Otherwise, you have to stop and wait for the green light. From a safety perspective, during a red light, there might be traffic crossing the intersection, and making a U-turn could block your view and cause an accident. Now, when I encounter such situations, I just obediently stop—I'd rather take a detour than save those few minutes. New drivers can easily get impatient, but once you develop the habit, it actually saves you more trouble. There's no need to risk breaking the rules.
