Is a U-turn at a red light considered running a red light?
1 Answers
If the U-turn signal 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 offense carries a penalty of 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn signal, 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. Making a direct U-turn may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing a pedestrian crossing, pedestrians must be given the right of way: 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 allow them to pass safely. 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 allow them to pass safely. If pedestrians cross the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane from the crosswalk, vehicles in the adjacent lane must slow down and allow them to pass safely. Vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the lane, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt and pedestrians are waiting in the middle of the road, vehicles must slow down and allow them to pass safely. Permissible U-turn situations: If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn is allowed. If there is a U-turn signal, follow the signal's instructions. If there is no signal, make the U-turn based on the specific situation, ensuring it does not interfere with other vehicles or pedestrians. If there is no explicit prohibition against U-turns or left turns at the intersection, a U-turn is allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means there are no signs like "No U-turn" or "No left turn," and the centerline is not solid. U-turns are also allowed in yellow grid zones. Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones, but as long as there is no central barrier, U-turns are permitted. If there is a U-turn signal at the intersection, follow the signal—only proceed on green. If signs allow U-turns but prohibit left turns, U-turns are still permitted. Note that "No U-turn" is not the same as "No left turn." Precautions when making a U-turn at an intersection: Observe road markings. If the line is solid, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn location. If there is a "No left turn" sign, even if there is no explicit "No U-turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection 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 permitted at that intersection. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles when making a U-turn. If you interfere with their right of way, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit "No U-turn" signs.
